Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Augusta, Georgia: Jason Day rallied around fellow Australian Cameron Smith and backed the former British Open winner to rediscover top form after two lacklustre Masters rounds ensured Smith would miss a sixth consecutive cut at the majors.
Smith, an owner of five top 10s at the Masters including a share of second in 2020, carded rounds of 74, 77 this week to finish at seven over par and three shots outside the four-over cut line at Augusta National.
He had never missed the weekend at Augusta National until the past two Masters. The popular Brisbane star simply didn’t hit enough greens in regulation at Augusta – he found 15 of 36 – to enjoy stress-free pars and birdie chances.
Smith made 10 bogeys, a double bogey and only five birdies in two rounds.
Overall, the 32-year-old, who is adjusting to balancing fatherhood with elite golf, missed the weekend at the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon, before exiting all four majors early in 2025 and now the Masters.
Smith’s career is one of Australia’s best, with a major and a Players Championship among six PGA Tour victories as well as three LIV Golf wins. He has bagged three Australian PGA titles. Smith also owns career top 10s in all three majors that he hasn’t won.
World No.41 Day was asked about his fellow Queenslander at Augusta after climbing to four under courtesy of a second-round 71 that still left him well back of runaway leader at 12 under, Rory McIlroy (65).
The 38-year-old Day went through a five-year win drought of his own that morphed into a career slump during which saw his world ranking plummet to No.175 in 2022. The 2015 PGA Championship winner clawed back and won his 13th PGA Tour win in 2023.
Day said he felt Smith could return to his best after navigating a rough patch.
“Yeah, I think – Cammy, he’s such a good golfer,” Day said. “He was at a high of No. 2 in the world. He’s an unreal golfer. He has a tremendous short game and really good wedge game.
“It’s unfortunate [because] this golf course actually should suit him really well. He’s a great putter, too. He might be going through a bit of a tough run right now, especially during the majors. He could win the next major and we’re not thinking about it again.
”When you’re going through it, it feels like you’re so far away. But if you can try and find the positives [it helps]. It’s unfortunate to hear [of the missed cuts]. He’s been a good buddy of mine for a long time.”
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