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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
![\"Cameron](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5e2e0823689fec9dac40d53840577970174f7da9.jpeg\")
Cameron Smith tees off at the Masters in Augusta.AP<\/p>\n
He had never missed the weekend at Augusta National until the past two Masters. The popular Brisbane star simply didn\u2019t hit enough greens in regulation at Augusta \u2013 he found 15 of 36 \u2013 to enjoy stress-free pars and birdie chances.<\/p>\n
Smith made 10 bogeys, a double bogey and only five birdies in two rounds.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s career is one of Australia\u2019s 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\u2019t won.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Day said he felt Smith could return to his best after navigating a rough patch.<\/p>\n
Related Article \u201cYeah, I think \u2013 Cammy, he\u2019s such a good golfer,\u201d Day said. \u201cHe was at a high of No. 2 in the world. He\u2019s an unreal golfer. He has a tremendous short game and really good wedge game.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate [because] this golf course actually should suit him really well. He\u2019s 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\u2019re not thinking about it again.<\/p>\n \u201dWhen you\u2019re going through it, it feels like you\u2019re so far away. But if you can try and find the positives [it helps]. It\u2019s unfortunate to hear [of the missed cuts]. He\u2019s been a good buddy of mine for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cc6ffea58136cd4025d8d88e564711016b0deb56.jpeg\")
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