WHETHER IT’S THE fluidity of the swing, the satisfying thud of the club connecting with the ball just right, or the rarity of hitting a golf ball flush, golf has the power to bring people together, sometimes in amazement, often in frustration.
This weekend, the world’s greatest golfers have converged on Augusta, Georgia, for a spectacle like no other. The Masters Golf Tournament, the epitome of golfing excellence, is already underway with round one in the books and plenty to talk about. This is where legends are born, hearts are tested, and the coveted green jacket is the ultimate symbol of triumph.
Expect drama, highs, lows, and the phrase “wow” or the more common “Shot”, which in golfing terms means ‘you pretty much nailed it’, to be uttered more times than you can count. You might even catch yourself bringing back the classic air swing around the house or be inspired enough to dust off old clubs.
Below, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Master’s golf tournament and the Aussie golfers competing for that illustrious green jacket.
What is the Masters tournament?
The Masters Golf Tournament is one of the most prestigious and competitive events in the world of golf. It is a four-day tournament that takes place annually in April at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA. In 2013, Adam Scott made history by becoming the first Australian to win the Masters Golf Tournament.
What makes Scott’s win so special is that the Masters competition is an incredible challenge, with no room for error. Consisting of four rounds of 18 holes, with the field of players being cut after the second round. Only the top 50 players, including ties, make it through to the final two rounds, making for a fierce competition. At the end of the fourth round, the golfer with the lowest score is declared the winner and receives the iconic green jacket, which has become synonymous with the tournament. In a tie, a sudden-death playoff is held to determine the champion.
The course at Augusta is known for its challenging layout, with tricky greens and narrow fairways. It requires precision and skill to navigate successfully, and the players must be at the top of their game to win. The Masters is a highly-anticipated event that attracts golf fans from all over the world and is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the golfing calendar.
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Australians at the Masters this year
Australia has grown its golfing pedigree in recent times. This year, six of our best have already graced the course.
Instagram | @ pgatour Adam Scott (Left) Min Woo Lee (Centre) Jason Day (Right)
Jason Day
Jason Day is currently the top-ranked Aussie heading into the Masters tournament. After a five-year winless streak between 2018 and 2023, the 36-year-old has been playing consistently well and hopes to achieve his first top-10 finish since 2019. Although he missed the cut in two of his last three appearances at Augusta, Day remains a strong contender in the tournament.
Adam Scott
The only Australian to have won the Masters, Scott is set to make his 23rd appearance at Augusta. He has consistently performed at the iconic tournament, making the cut for 14 straight years. Although he has only made the top 10 once since his historic win, Scott is looking to return to the top of the leaderboard in 2024.
Cameron Smith
Still sporting that iconic flowing mullet, Cameron Smith has proved himself before, reaching the world No. 2 rank in 2022 and was Australia’s best male golfer for a solid period. However, his form has slightly declined since then, causing him to drop significantly down the rankings. Despite this, Smith has won three LIV events since his controversial switch a couple of years ago, showcasing his ability to win tournaments. Known for his strong short game and consistent performance, he has made his eighth Masters appearance. Smith will undoubtedly aim to return to the top section of the leaderboard this weekend.
Min Woo Lee
Min Woo Lee is a rising star in the golfing world, an exciting and charismatic prospect known for his impressive skills and entertaining character on tour. He ended the 2023 season on a high note, winning both the Macao Open and Australian PGA Championship in consecutive months. Lee debuted at the Masters in 2022 and finished in the top 20. Despite missing the cut last year, he hopes to continue his red-hot success and make a strong comeback.
Cameron Davis
Cameron Davis is another fresh-ish face in Aussie golfing ranks. He has one PGA Tour win under his belt, emerging victorious at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2021. He is currently the third-ranked Australian heading into his second Masters tournament. Davis has been playing consistently, but his recent form is a bit of a concern since he has failed to crack the top-10 in any of his seven tournaments so far this year.
Jasper Stubbs
Jasper Stubbs is a new name and fresh face to cheer on in Augusta. At 21 years old, he has made his Masters debut this week as Australia’s only amateur in the tournament. He locked down his tee time at Augusta by winning the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship last year.
Where the Australians are currently sitting.
- (T6) Cam Davis -3 (F)
- (T18) Cam Smith -1 (F)
- (T32) Jason Day E (11)
- (T42) Adam Scott +1 (12)
- (T55) Min Woo Lee +2 (F)
- 89th Jasper Stubbs (amateur) +8 (F)
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After the end of round 1, Cameron Davis is the leading Australian, just four shots off the pace in a close tie for sixth position at three-under with New Zealander Ryan Fox after opening with 69.
After a shaky start due to an unfortunate bout of food poisoning, Aussie Cult hero Cameron Smith made a sold Masters start. His one-under-par score on day 1 sees him tied for 17th.
After a delay that lasted roughly two-and-a-half hours, Jason Day (E) and Adam Scott (+1) will attempt to tee off tomorrow nice and early local time (10 pm AEST) to finish their rounds. Both golfers remain in solid positions but more work will need to be done to shave down their scores.
Min Woo Lee, playing with the flu and a broken finger from a gym accident last week, has produced a slight spark in a mid-round revival. However, he let his work slip late, sharing 53rd place in the 89-man field and desperately needs a better second round to make the weekend cut.
Rookie amateur Jasper Stubbs has unfortunately posted an eight-over 80, giving him a tough second round ahead.
Where to watch the Masters
You can watch the Masters on free to air television via 9Gem. The tournament is also available on Foxtel, through the Fox Sports channels. If you prefer streaming, you can watch the entire tournament and analysis coverage on 9Now. Additionally, most Kayo Sports subscribers will be able to stream the Masters golf tournament.
Masters schedule
Round 2 of the Masters will kick off Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13, with the first group teeing off at 10:00 pm AEST.
Cameron Davis will be the first of the Aussies to commence his second round at 10:12 pm AEST, Friday,12th April. Adam Scott follows at 12:06 a.m AEST, early on Saturday morning, closely followed by Jason Day at 12:18 am AEST. Jasper Stubbs will also tee off at 2:12 am AEST Saturday morning. Min Woo Lee will tee off at 3:12 am looking to make quick and clean work of his second round. Cameron Smith is part of the final group to tee off at 4:00 am AEST for viewers early on their Saturday mornings here in Australia.
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