Aussie golfer Cam Smith has the distinction of being the first player to ‘officially’ face the attending the media heading into this week’s 2026 Masters at Augusta National.
Smith, 32, is making his 10th appearance at Augusta National since his debut appearance in 2016 and with his best showing T2nd in 2020 while he shared third place in 2022, and the year he captured golf’s oldest major championship at St. Andrews.
So, the LIV star is no stranger to Augusta National though it was not the golf course of first interest to the media but seeking Smith’s thoughts of the newest addition to the Augusta National club and that is the spectular three-storey Players Services Centre.
“I mean, it’s world class, just like what we’ve come to expect of Augusta National“ Smith said.
“We wouldn’t have thought it would be anything different. It’s pretty spectacular. The locker room is great. The dining room is great. The gym is great. There’s no flaws. Everyone is really happy with it.
“My favourite part already is the new locker room. The locker room upstairs here in the clubhouse is great, and it’s got its history and stuff, but it wasn’t very big. I think everyone is really pumped about the space that we’ve got. The lockers are awesome. They’ve got a charger in there for our TrackMans and stuff. Then the recovery facility downstairs is pretty special.
“There’s also a facility for family dining and it’s been built to make that aspect convenient for a player’s family.
“It kind of felt like it was a little bit maybe disjointed in years past with everything kind of being here and then our practice facility over there, so you were constantly going between the two, whereas everything is in one place. I spend a little bit more time with the family, and yeah, have lunch with them and stuff. It’s nice.“
What would be nicer for Smith is to assure himself he’s at Augusta National for all four days having horribly missed the cut in all four major appearances last year, and a first occasion in Smith’s career.
“I think just be smart, and then you’ve obviously got to play good golf,“ he said when asked the key to a good week.
“I think it’s a place where if you’re playing really good, you can be super aggressive. If you’re not playing so good, you have to play really smart and kind of get to the positions where you can get it up-and-down.
“It’s the same for everyone, though. Everyone has got to do the same thing“.
Smith is among four Aussies teeing-up this weeking, including 2013 champion Adam Scott.
