Smith dreaming of Masters green on debut

Young Australian Cameron Smith ensured he will be ready for his Masters debut with an early reconnaisance mission.

Australian golfer Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith is confident he can contend with the big names gunning for the title at Augusta. (AAP)

Masters debutant Cameron Smith is dreaming in green, confident he can contend with the litany of big names gunning for the title.

Smith's form on the US PGA Tour this year may not have set the scoreboards alight but the 22-year-old Queenslander is no stranger to contending at majors, finishing fourth at the US Open last year on debut to earn his spot in Augusta.

And the world No.102 wasn't about to dampen expectations after arriving at Augusta National on Monday.

"You come here to win. You don't come to finish second or make the cut. So that is definitely the goal in mind," Smith said boldly.

"I just like to see it as another tournament. I am pretty excited but I want Thursday to come pretty quick."

The 22-year-old made a trip down Magnolia Lane after playing in Tampa earlier this year, getting two days of preparations under his belt outside of the glare of tournament week.

With the golf course virtually deserted he was able to spend six hours the first day learning as many nuances as he could before playing a regular round the following morning.

And with a timely good final round at the Houston Open on Sunday, where he put up five birdies in his last 11 holes to sneak into the top 20, Smith wants to maintain the rage.

"I just have to keep doing what I am doing. It all come together yesterday on the back nine so I am feeling really good with my game," he said.

"My game has felt really solid all year. I have been hitting it great and chipping it and putting it really good but it just hasn't all combined itself to get four good scores in.

"Last week was good and it felt good to see a few putts roll in.

"So now I am just looking forward to Thursday.

While no first-timer has won at Augusta National since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, Smith takes confidence from the likes of Jason Day and Jordan Spieth.

Both finished second and had chances to win in their Masters debuts, with Spieth winning in record fashion a year later.


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Source: AAP



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