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AUGUSTA, Ga. – Cameron Smith wasn’t at all shy about how frequently he tracked Scottie Scheffler’s progress during Saturday’s third round at the Masters Tournament.
“After every hole,” Smith said. “Every chance there was.”
Though he kept an eye on Scheffler’s progress, it wasn’t something Smith obsessed over. It seemed to fuel him as he shot a 4-under 68 that put him just three strokes behind the leader ahead of the final round.
“I believe in finding out what you need to do in order to win,” Smith said. “Scottie kept shooting birdies, so that meant I needed to keep making birdies.”
Smith had six birdies in all Saturday, including three on the second nine as Scheffler’s hot hand cooled.
It was the second straight day 30-mile-per-hour wind gusts blew through Augusta National Golf Club. With temperatures that struggled to make it past the mid-50s, it was a frustrating day of golf.
That frustration showed as Smith was preparing to tee off on the fourth hole. Right as he approached the tee, a strong gust came and lingered. Smith backed away from the tee and took a few practice swings as he tried to wait it out. Then a second time Smith walked to his ball, only to back away again when the wind did not relent.
After a third time, Smith gave a wry smile while shaking his head, which drew a laugh from the gallery before unleashing a 249-yard tee shot that positioned him for par.
Cameron Smith hits onto the 18th green during the third round of the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkara/The Augusta Chronicle)
It was the patient precursor to birdies on two of his next four holes en route to a 34 on the first nine.
His continued with birdies at the 10th, 13th and 15th holes. Meanwhile, Scheffler bogeyed four of his last seven holes.
Although Saturday ended well for Smith, it was seldom easy.
“It was really tough out there today,” he said. “I just had to stay patient with the course and stay…
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Source : yahoo
