Cameron Smith on mullets, drinking beer and why he's a main Masters contender

He’s got a mullet and enjoys chilling out with the boys over a few beers. Not exactly Green Jacket material but step forward Cameron Smith, who is the man fancied by many to be slipping into one at the end of the 86th Masters.

His record at Augusta National is impressive. He’s made the cut in all five of his previous appearances, including two top 10s and a runner-up finish in 2020. That year, he secured a place in the event’s history by becoming the first player to shoot in the 60s in all four rounds.

On this occasion, Smith is coming into the season’s opening major in hot form. He won the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in January before adding The Players Championship at Sawgrass last month.

Adam Scott, who achieved the feat in 2013, is the only Australian to have won the season’s opening major, but Smith has good reason to be feeling quietly confident about his chances on this occasion.

“I think it’s just my creativity,” replied the 28-year-old to being asked what it was about this place that can bring out the best in him. “I feel like I play my best golf when I'm creative. And this course has so many slopes and stuff that you can work it off. Reminds me a lot of Sandbelt golf at home. Yeah, I just love it.”

Scottie Scheffler may be the hottest player in the game right now, having recently become the new world No 1 on the back of three wins in quick succession, including the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin. But Smith, now a five-time PGA Tour winner, is another player on an upward trajectory.

“I feel pretty hungry mate,” he said to being asked how he was feeling at the start of the major season. “Pretty good time of year to be playing good golf. You know, it's just nice to contend. Still been