{"id":592951,"date":"2026-04-08T07:31:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T07:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/592951\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T07:31:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T07:31:19","slug":"preview-on-every-australian-in-the-field-at-augusta-national-min-woo-lee-jason-day-adam-scott-and-cameron-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/592951\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview on every Australian in the field at Augusta National, Min Woo Lee, Jason Day, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Min Woo Lee believes he has found a secret \u201cweapon\u201d to win a green jacket, while Jason Day, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith all arrive in Augusta with good results under their belt<\/a>. <\/p>\n

For a second straight year, Lee will lead the Australian Masters charge as the nation\u2019s highest ranked player.<\/p>\n

\ufeffFOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports, is streaming The 2026 PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Unlike last year, the 27-year-old is yet to taste victory this season. <\/p>\n

He has been a regular contender on the PGA Tour, however, in promising signs before the first major of the year. <\/p>\n

Former world No.1s Day and Scott have also been in the mix in various tournaments in the United States. <\/p>\n

But it is not Day\u2019s golf game that has been grabbing the spotlight in the lead-up to Masters week. <\/p>\n

Smith, meanwhile, has flown under the radar a little bit in 2026 compared to his countrymen. <\/p>\n

The 2022 Open champion\u2019s major struggles attracted plenty of attention last year, but he appeared to turn a corner at Royal Melbourne in December\u2019s Australian Open.<\/p>\n

\u201cI seriously think with all four players that we are in a really good spot. We are in a good space for Augusta and all four of them have a love affair with Augusta National,\u201d Fox Golf expert analyst Paul Gow said.<\/p>\n

Scroll down for everything you need to know about each Australian competing in this week\u2019s Masters.<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/p>\n

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\ufeff\u2018That\u2019s probably why…\u2019: Emotional Aussie\u2019s fascinating insight into Tiger\u2019s battles \u2014 Masters Daily<\/a><\/p>\n

McIlroy\u2019s \u2018pinch-me moment\u2019 in Masters triumph that broke 10-year title drought<\/a><\/p>\n

Re-visiting Norman’s 1996 Masters mare | 03:09<\/p>\n

MIN WOO LEE<\/p>\n

World ranking: 25 <\/p>\n

Last five results: T3, T32, T6, T12, T2 <\/p>\n

Masters appearances: 4 <\/p>\n

Best finish: T14 (2022) <\/p>\n

Top 25s: 2 <\/p>\n

The Chef has been cooking in 2026, rising 22 places in the Official World Golf Rankings since the start of the year. <\/p>\n

In his last start, Lee made a solid fist of his title defence at the Texas Children\u2019s Houston Open, coming in a tie for third. <\/p>\n

The 27-year-old also made himself even more loved by fans of the PGA Tour with a touching gesture on the final hole of the tournament. <\/p>\n

Playing in the final group, Lee and Nicolai Hojgaard backed off as they walked down the 18th fairway<\/a> to allow winner Gary Woodland to soak up his moment. <\/p>\n

The victory was Woodland\u2019s first in seven years and his first since having brain surgery and battling PTSD.<\/p>\n

Min Woo Lee waves to the crowd on the 18th green after finishing his final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open 2026.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

The result was Lee\u2019s second top three of the year, having come runner-up to Collin Morikawa at Pebble Beach after the two-time major winner birdied the famous final hole to end his three-year winless run.<\/p>\n

\u201cMin Woo, this could be the best he has come into it. He has won nearly $3 million bucks,\u201d Gow said.\ufeff<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he is the youngest there (of the Australians), but he shot 30 on the front nine and he was tearing it up there a couple of years ago. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe missed the cut last year and he was filthy with himself, but he is in a better space. He has worked with his coach Ritchie Smith on the way he drives the ball. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a lot tighter and that allows him to show off his creativity with his iron shots and he is a good putter, he is an awesome putter, Min Woo. And that has helped him get inside the top 30 in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, Lee will be hoping that his time in the sun will come on arguably the biggest stage of all. <\/p>\n

After an off season working on his accuracy, the long bomber certainly feels the confidence in his game to become a major champion. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been great. Believing in myself, that\u2019s probably the biggest thing, and just trusting what I\u2019ve been doing,\u201d he told Australian reporters last week. <\/p>\n

\u201cI can go out there and I\u2019ve still been nervous over the last couple of months, but it\u2019s been a good nervous. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy clubs have been backing it up, which has been great. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to the Masters. It\u2019s a great week and I love being back and hitting some creative shots. <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, very confident in my game right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Min Woo Lee plays a shot from the 12th hole tee box during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

Lee\u2019s immense power has always been one of the best aspects of his game. <\/p>\n

But at times at Augusta, he has found it somewhat restricting. <\/p>\n

Now, he believes he has the answer to harness it. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think having the mini driver is very beneficial,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the draw holes, hitting a fade with a driver, it was a bit awkward for me. <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, that I have a mini, that doesn\u2019t sacrifice too much distance, that I can turnover is definitely, I would say, a weapon. <\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully it does become one this week. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been hitting it really well. I\u2019ve been prepping for it. So hopefully it all works out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\ufeffGet all the latest golf news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n

LIV vs. PGA set to unravel at Masters | 01:26<\/p>\n

JASON DAY<\/p>\n

World ranking: 41 <\/p>\n

Last five results: T6, T59, MC, MC, T24 <\/p>\n

Masters appearances: 14 <\/p>\n

Best finish: T2 (2011) <\/p>\n

Top 10s: 5 <\/p>\n

With a runner-up finish on debut in 2011 and having been in the mix when countryman Adam Scott broke through in 2013, Augusta has long suited Day\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

He sent a reminder of that last year with a tied eighth finish and comes into this week in some of his best form since his career resurgence after a debilitating back injury.<\/p>\n

The former world No.1 came in a share of second at The American Express in January and feels as if his game is peaking at the right time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a second. I had sixth at Houston two weeks ago, and I had a little bit of a lull,\u201d Day told Fox Sports News at Augusta National.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went through some iron changes. I feel like I\u2019m hitting them a lot straighter now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had this kind of left miss and every now it does poke in.<\/p>\n

\u201cOverall, driving it pretty nice. I\u2019m starting to iron it a lot better. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy short game is really good. My putting is really good.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had some streakiness with the putting, but my short game has really kept me in play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason Day and Johnny Keefer look on while playing the fourth hole during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

More than a decade has passed since Day won his lone major to date at the 2015 PGA Championship.<\/p>\n

He had also gone nearly three years without winning a trophy.<\/p>\n

In order to break those droughts, the 38-year-old has put all his chip ins this week.<\/p>\n

He is staying inside a bus which houses all seven of the Day clan.<\/p>\n

It sounds like something out of a family-friendly comedy, especially when you add in that Day will be wearing daggy dad clothing this week with birds all over his attire. <\/p>\n

But the motorhome also serves as the Queenslander\u2019s recovery facility.<\/p>\n

As well as the same bed as he has at home in Ohio, the bus contains a sauna, cold plunge, steam shower and workout mats for stretching.<\/p>\n

It is like a state of the art hotel and gym on wheels.<\/p>\n

It has also been Day\u2019s preferred method of travel around America for a long time and he hopes it will help bring the green jacket he has long desired.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had success at Augusta, and I\u2019d like to break through at some point,\u201d Day told the Sydney Morning Herald<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very hungry. Trying to win the Masters is the biggest thing on my mind every year. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ve got the game to do it. Sorry, I shouldn\u2019t say \u2018think\u2019. I know I have the game. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have experience. If I give myself opportunities and take some, I\u2019ve got a good feeling I can win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason Day plays a shot from the 12th hole tee box during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

An emotional Day received widespread praise on Tuesday with a thoughtful response to a question about whether he has empathy for his good friend Tiger Woods<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Day once again evoked his relationship with the five-time green jacket when speaking to Fox Golf expert analyst Paul Gow about his history with Augusta.<\/p>\n

Ahead of his 15th appearance in the first major of the year, Day wishes some things may have been different but also cannot help but think back to his humble beginnings in Beaudesert in rural southern Queensland.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I wish I was left-handed,\u201d Day told Fox Sports News with a laugh. <\/p>\n

\u201cI feel the golf course suits a left hander better.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think when you have an attitude of gratitude about being here, it sets you up better for success.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you walk into a golf course and you don\u2019t quite have it, your attitude is not there, it makes it harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said before that Tiger Woods and this tournament is the reason why I play. The reason why I started the game of golf.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be here, it\u2019s really hard to not enjoy it when it\u2019s reason I got into golf.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spieth suffers HORROR meltdown in 2016 | 02:02<\/p>\n

ADAM SCOTT<\/p>\n

World ranking: 53 <\/p>\n

Last five results: T21, T56, T11, 4, T30 <\/p>\n

Masters appearances: 24 <\/p>\n

Best finish: Win (2013) <\/p>\n

Top 10s: 5 <\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s only Masters champion begun the week in incredibly special fashion.<\/p>\n

Scott took to Augusta National on Sunday for a practice round alongside his father, Phil, and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler.<\/p>\n

The 45-year-old joked that he was tired from getting 18 holes in so early in the week, while saying his dad was happy with the way he played and calling Scheffler \u201ca champ\u201d for joining the family experience.<\/p>\n

It was a remarkable way to celebrate what will be Scott\u2019s 25th Masters appearance.<\/p>\n

The veteran\u2019s quarter of a century draws him level with icon Ben Hogan in a share of 38th on the all-time appearances list.<\/p>\n

Adam Scott walks off the 16th green during the third round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open 2026.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

But with a lifetime guarantee as a result of being a green jacket, Scott could move further up that list towards Gary Player\u2019s record of 52 starts.<\/p>\n

Reaching yet another milestone has the Australian in the mood for a celebration.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood opportunity to win another one, I\u2019d say,\u201d Scott told Fox Sports News. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe years go by quick, but it\u2019s plenty of experience to lean on for me. <\/p>\n

\u201cGame\u2019s looking pretty healthy this year, I would say. <\/p>\n

\u201cJust can\u2019t quite put four really good days together, but maybe this is the one to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like his countryman, Scott has strung together some impressive results recently.<\/p>\n

He has also been adding to his highlight reel with a hole-in-one in his last start at the Houston Open.<\/p>\n

Adam Scott plays a shot from the eighth tee during the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open 2026.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

He feels as if the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy iron play has been really, really good,\u201d Scott said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhich has been nice because I think that\u2019s been really lacking for a few years, but that\u2019s really come around. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo, that\u2019s helpful here. Everything else has been pretty solid. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut, you know, I putt well for three rounds and then have a bit of a slow round in there somewhere. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s let me down. Actually, at The Players, I didn\u2019t drive it particularly well. That made it a tough week for me. I was down the bottom of the leaderboard. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right there. I just need to tighten it up. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis course kind of gives me a little bit of room to breathe off the tee. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m sharp with the irons, I feel like this is my kind of green. The quicker, the better. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo, with a good weather forecast, I think we\u2019re looking like we could have some pretty fun greens to play with.\u201d <\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/p>\n

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A mistake, then family disgrace: Why brutal snub could be final straw in Masters feud<\/a><\/p>\n

‘Love being back here’: Smith on Augusta | 02:16<\/p>\n

CAMERON SMITH<\/p>\n

World ranking: 211 <\/p>\n

Last five results: T17, T8, 48, T8, T13 <\/p>\n

Masters appearances: 9 <\/p>\n

Best finish: T2 (2020) <\/p>\n

Top 10s: 5<\/p>\n

Like Scott, Smith is another getting giddy about the prospect of seeing the ball bounce forward on Augusta\u2019s lightning-fast greens.<\/p>\n

The 32-year-old has always been at his best in firm and fast conditions.<\/p>\n

He won The Open four years ago at St Andrews in a true test of links golf.<\/p>\n

While an old-fashioned Royal Melbourne seemed to reignite Smith in December despite his three-putt bogey at the last confining the local hero to a runner-up finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe greens (at Augusta National) particularly are really firm and with no rain forecast, hopefully, we get some really firm and fast greens on the weekend,\u201d Smith told Fox Sports News.<\/p>\n

Cameron Smith hits out of a greenside bunker on the second hole during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

The LIV Golf star\u2019s struggles in the majors last year were well-documented.<\/p>\n

He was the only player to miss the cut in all four majors as his game deserted him.<\/p>\n

Smith\u2019s wayward driver appeared to be the cause of the problems, but the Queenslander told The Daily Telegraph<\/a> in the lead-up to this week\u2019s Masters that a \u201cfoggy brain\u201d was the main issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think my game has been the issue. It\u2019s probably really been my brain more than anything, to be honest, over the past year or two,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s just about getting back into some good old habits and doing the stuff that I need to do to be a world-class golfer and I feel like I\u2019m doing all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was then asked if it was fatherhood specifically that had clouded his brain and Smith replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never been one for excuses but my life has definitely changed to what it has, particularly the last year or so, so I just have to learn to deal with that and get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cameron Smith walks on the 14th green during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

His results on LIV seem to have turned a corner with two top tens in his last four starts despite not seriously contending for a title.<\/p>\n

Smith believes he is feeling a turnaround his game and a big result is only around the corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty good. Probably haven\u2019t got the results that I wanted but the game\u2019s felt really good,\u201d Smith told Fox Sports News.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet a little bit of momentum going and I\u2019ll be right there.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, back at a place I love this week, and hopefully it starts here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve worked hard the last couple of weeks,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cHad a couple of weeks off after South Africa. Working on the swing and kind of taking it cruisy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, it\u2019s a place that I like. I\u2019ve been around here plenty of times so there\u2019s no need to over do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cameron Smith speaks with his caddie, Sam Pinfold, during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

The same year he won The Open, Smith played in the final group alongside Scottie Scheffler at The Masters.<\/p>\n

He came runner-up to Dustin Johnson in the eerie Covid, November Masters of 2020.<\/p>\n

Those results were in the middle of a stretch where Smith registered five top tens in seven years.<\/p>\n

Missing the cut for the first time in his career last year broke ended that streak.<\/p>\n

But a down year in 2005 is unlikely to dissuade Smith, according to Gow. <\/p>\n

\u201cCam Smith has played better since the Australian Open. He has played solid and he just walks on to that place and he puts his serious hat on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could be talking to him about the footy, but all of a sudden he is ready to go and he has his game face on, so there would be nothing he would love more than to have a win around Augusta.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Min Woo Lee believes he has found a secret \u201cweapon\u201d to win a green jacket, while Jason Day,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":592952,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[566],"tags":[5487,6074,289509,2095,53831,289513,64,129216,11537,63,689,102312,9267,1365,3193,42840,69051,289507,289506,163509,289518,17343,54618,289516,6927,42141,285085,289511,289510,47471,222085,676,117848,289519,653,14604,2105,755,9262,37081,1745,143867,24416,9256,289508,289447,5145,155628,289515,5499,263651,289503,31542,84774,12284,289504,5488,289512,10917,2041,2067,677,12293,265601,51334,6980,259494,6869,289517,289521,10898,154476,1183,18780,85,42307,289505,289514,84575,3370,9244,38445,82833,185082,2614,13739,289520,29739],"class_list":{"0":"post-592951","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-golf","8":"tag-adam-scott","9":"tag-africa","10":"tag-all-time-appearances-list","11":"tag-america","12":"tag-american-express-company","13":"tag-art-hotel","14":"tag-au","15":"tag-augusta","16":"tag-augusta-national-inc","17":"tag-australia","18":"tag-australia-and-new-zealand","19":"tag-australian-reporters","20":"tag-ben-hogan","21":"tag-brain-surgery","22":"tag-cameron-smith","23":"tag-car-crash","24":"tag-career-resurgence","25":"tag-century-draws","26":"tag-chip-ins","27":"tag-chips-in-move","28":"tag-course-kind","29":"tag-daily-telegraph","30":"tag-debilitating-back-injury","31":"tag-draw-holes","32":"tag-dustin-johnson","33":"tag-expert-analyst","34":"tag-family-disgrace","35":"tag-family-experience","36":"tag-famous-final","37":"tag-final-group","38":"tag-final-hole","39":"tag-final-round","40":"tag-final-straw","41":"tag-five-time-green-jacket","42":"tag-fox-sports-news","43":"tag-gary-player","44":"tag-getty-images-inc","45":"tag-golf","46":"tag-golf-course","47":"tag-golf-game","48":"tag-golf-news","49":"tag-green-jacket","50":"tag-greg-norman","51":"tag-highlight-reel","52":"tag-hole-tee-box","53":"tag-horror-meltdown","54":"tag-houston","55":"tag-immense-power","56":"tag-iron-changes","57":"tag-jason-day","58":"tag-johnny-keefer","59":"tag-lifetime-guarantee","60":"tag-links-golf","61":"tag-love-affair","62":"tag-maine","63":"tag-masters-appearances","64":"tag-min-woo-lee","65":"tag-mini-driver","66":"tag-nick-faldo","67":"tag-north-america","68":"tag-northern-america","69":"tag-oceania","70":"tag-ohio","71":"tag-paul-gow","72":"tag-pebble-beach-company","73":"tag-phil","74":"tag-practice-round","75":"tag-rain-forecast","76":"tag-recovery-facility","77":"tag-regular-contender","78":"tag-richard-heathcote","79":"tag-runner-up-finish","80":"tag-south-africa","81":"tag-southern-africa","82":"tag-sports","83":"tag-state-of-georgia","84":"tag-steam-shower","85":"tag-stop-pretending","86":"tag-sydney-morning-herald","87":"tag-texas","88":"tag-tiger-woods","89":"tag-title-defence","90":"tag-title-drought","91":"tag-top-tens","92":"tag-united-states-of-america","93":"tag-weather-forecast","94":"tag-workout-mats","95":"tag-world-ranking"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/592951","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=592951"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/592951\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/592952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=592951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=592951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=592951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}