Austin, Texas …
Cameron Smith confessed he was driven by the ‘injustice’ of he and Jonas Blixt winning last April’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans and not being made exempt into the Masters to finally qualify automatically for next fortnight’s opening Major of the year at Augusta National.
For reasons unknown, those at Augusta National elected not to afford exemption to both Smith and Sweden’s Jonas Blixt in capturing last year’s inaugual team-format Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
All other PGA Tour event winners are afforded an invitation to the Masters but for reasons only Augusta National know the innovative new Zurich Classic of New Orleans teams format was ruled-out as an Augusta National qualifier.
As well, Smith and Blixt were deprived of any World Ranking points.
Cameron Smith now heading to the Masters after winning his way into the last eight at the WGC – Dell Match-Play. (Photo – Getty)
But after winning Saturday morning’s fourth round match 2 & 1 against England’s Tyrrell Hatton at the WGC – Dell Match-Play the 24-year old Queenslander was assured of moving from right on the bubble at No. 50 in the world to around No. 43 and the assurance of contesting next fortnight’s Masters.
And while disappointed to have been defeated 4 & 2 by Sweden’s Alex Noren in the afternoon quarter-finals, Smith spoke of his determination since the start of the New Year to earn what is a second Masters invitation.
“It was a double blow against Jonas and myself in winning the Zurich Classic because if World Ranking points had of been allocated the event I know I wouldn’t have to think about qualifying for the Masters,” he said.
“Not qualifying for the Masters in winning the Zurich has driven me since the beginning of this year to qualify for Augusta and I’ve managed to do that.
“So, it’s justice I am into the Masters and while I would like to have gone through to the final this week, I’m looking forward now to the Masters.”
Smith had managed seven birdies in defeating Hatton but found Noren a tougher nut to crack is losing the first and then finding himself 3-down at the 13th before conceeding the 16th and losing 4 & 2 to his 35-year old rival.
“I’m standing here gutted to have been knocked out as I felt I really gave Alex that match this afternoon which is a bit annoying,” he said.
“I didn’t play my best golf and I also didn’t putt that well, so it is annoying to hand him the match.
“Alec played really solid and he did what he had to do but I was the one making all the mistakes.”
However, while into the Masters the young Queenslander was not aware his victory over Hatton had seen him do enough to earn an Augusta invitaton.
“I had no idea and I didn’t want to know about it as I came here this week just focussed on doing my best and trying to win a golf tournament,” he said.
The reigning Australian PGA Championship winner will now skip this week’s Houston Open and with his coach before tacking the trip north from his Jacksonville, Florida residence to rented premises in Augusta, Georgia.
“It’s been two years since I was first at Augusta, so I’m really excited to be going back,” he said,
“So, to now qualify is a huge plus in my career and now I am looking to make some progress on my first visit when I finished T55th and now knowing the course a little bit better I can go a few better.
“I’ve had a few shaky weeks out on Tour in my last few events, so I am pleased to have been able to put my head down this week and play really well.”
Smith’s inclusion into the 2018 Masters field ensures Australia will now boast four teeing-up on the Georgia golfing gem with Smith now joining 2013 Masters winner, Adam Scott along with Jason Day and Marc Leishman.
