Brisbane’s Cameron Smith is looking now to earn lot more than the sum he forked out to buy his pet poodle a Masters logo food bowl.
The 22-year old Smith superbly muscled his way to just six shots from the lead heading to the weekend rounds in a maiden Augusta appearance in adding a second day 73 to his opening score of 74 to be lying in a share of 33rd place at three over par.
The young Aussie had gained a first Masters invitation in finishing a remarkable T4th in last year’s U.S. Open, and helped by an eagle three at the last hole at Chambers Bay.
Smith finds himself the second leading Australian just two shots behind World No. 1 and fellow Queenslander Jason Day (72 & 73) and two clear of 2013 Masters champ, Adam Scott (76 & 72).
“It was good, it was a bit of a grind out there again today so to get in with 3‑over was pretty good,” said Smith.
Cameron Smith makes the halfway cut in his maiden Masters.
“So I am delighted to be here for the weekend. That’s sort of the first thing you got to get rid of really, isn’t it, and then the next one is obviously doing well on the weekend. I feel like the game’s there and I just need a few more putts to drop, I think, and I will climb my way up the leader board.”
And Smith, who enjoyed a prolific amateur winning career capped by capturing the 2013 Australian Amateur Championship, had plenty of support for his 36 holes around the Georgia golfing gem including his proud parents.
It had been Smith’s father Des, who introduced his son to the game when aged three, taking him to the Wantima Golf Club just outside of Brisbane, and where from the age of 1o years, Smith was playing off a single digit handicap.
A Masters logo dog bowl – yours for $50
“Yeah, it was great to have so much support, and I could definitely hear the family a little bit more today so that was nice,” he said.
“I would like to think they enjoyed it. So hopefully I’ll have another couple of good days.”
And given it was Smith’s first Augusta appearance he confessed he’s spent a considerable amount in the Masters gift shop including purchasing a Masters logo dog bowl.
“I’ve brought a few flags, shirts for the family, a dog bowl for my little puppy. And a lead,” he said.
“The puppy’s name is Kendrick. Like the rapper Kendrick Lamar.”
A quick check on Wikipedia reveals the 28-year old Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys at the 2015 ceremony, including Best Rap Album for To Pimp a Butterfly.
And for anyone interested in buying their dog a Masters logo dog bowl they retail for $US 50, and can be obtained on-line.
