Cameron’s Master-ful display
Photo Credit: PGA of Australia
Accolades have poured in for Cameron Smith, who grew up in Bray Park, learned to play golf at Wantima Country Club in Brendale – and made history at the US Masters today.
The 27-year-old finished runner-up in arguably the most glamorous major golf tournament in the world, beaten only by the world number one Dustin Johnson.
The former Pine Rivers State High School student had rounds of 67 68 69 69 for a total of 273, five behind winner Johnson and level with SJ Im of South Korea.
Historic stats
Cameron was tied for first on nine under par after two rounds and in the final round this morning got within two shots of the lead before Johnson pulled away.
On the US Masters website Cameron says: “I’ll take 15-under here for the rest of my career. If I do that, I might win a couple of Masters.”
Cameron, who is still a member at Wantima and always goes to the Brendale club when back in Australia, has:
- Become the first player in US Masters history to card four rounds in the 60s
- Had the lowest score ever by a US Masters runner-up
- Only six players have ever beaten Cameron’s four-round US Masters total
- They are Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ray Floyd, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth.
- Cameron has risen in the world rankings from 45 to 27 - highest is 24.
- He won more than US$1m today at the Masters, that’s around A$1.37m
- Cameron is now eighth on the US PGA Tour’s 2021 season money list
- His last 10 competitive rounds have all been in the 60s and collectively 42 under par
We love Cam
Ken Mackay, long-time junior co-ordinator at Wantima, says: “When you stop and think about it, this is mind-blowing!
“The statistics, the history … it’s an amazing achievement. Cam’s a quiet achiever, but this is a milestone effort for him.
“We love Cam at Wantima. We always have. He hasn’t changed since he was a junior. There’s no airs or graces about him.
Showing the way
“He has shown youngsters from humbled backgrounds, somewhere like Wantima, that they can compete and achieve on the world stage.
“I’m stoked for Cam. So proud of the guy … as everyone at Wantima will be.”
Ken also runs the Cameron Smith Junior Classic, an annual event for players under 18 at Wantima. The fourth classic will be on December 11.
Wonderful effort
John Victorsen, resident professional at Wantima, adds: “Such a wonderful effort … he just ran into a red-hot Dustin Johnson.
“It’s an outstanding achievement. Lowest score every by someone finishing second, his second top five finish at the US Masters …”
“In a week’s time, Cameron may sit back with a XXXX somewhere and reflect on what he has achieved.”
World stage
Cameron’s manager Ian Davis describes the past four days as “a really great effort” and “another step in the right direction”.
“Cameron Smith the golfer will be recognised around the world. How many people watched the broadcast? Millions,” says Ian.
Ian also highlighted the fact world number one Dustin Johnson had won 25 US PGA titles to his credit. Cameron had won two.
Cameron finished equal fourth at the US Open in 2015 and fifth at the US Masters in 2018. He won his first US PGA title in 2017, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Jonas Blixt and his first individual title, the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.
His last tournament this year will be the QBE Shootout in Florida next month.