Australia's new world No.6 golfer Cameron Smith has discussed meat pies, attacking the flag and dealing with unprecedented hype in the lead up to the Masters.
Cameron Smith has made light of his newly acquired status entering the Masters next month, predicting he'll bring out his "inner kid" as he chases a maiden major title at Augusta.
The Australian moved to a career-high world No.6 by claiming his fifth PGA Tour title at The Players Championship in Florida, just a 15-minute drive from his US home.
Smith netted a PGA Tour event record $US3.6million ($A5m) pay day, defying an elite field with an audacious birdie on the penultimate hole and a great escape for bogey on the 18th to seal the biggest win of his career.
The 28-year-old already boasts three top-10 Masters finishes, including a runner-up in 2020 when he became the first man to shoot four sub-70 rounds, and says he's playing the best golf of his life.
The laid-back Queenslander won't flinch in the spotlight though, vowing to continue his attacking approach which has enamoured the American golfing public this year.
"I try not to read up too much on who's the favourite and who's not; I've always been one to go about my business and it'll be the same up there," he said.
"I just can't wait ... it (Augusta) just allows me to be creative; it almost brings out my inner kid.
"I can hit some shots around there you typically don't hit week in, week out and it demands those shots.
"It's a place I feel really relaxed and comfortable on and I play my best golf when I'm being really creative, so I think that's why I've had a couple of good finishes there."
Smith's final-round flag hunting on the 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass and then his decision to take driver on the 18th were both bold choices he's learned to adopt since joining the Tour.
That attitude backfired to a degree last year, when errant drives while contending cost him a shot at three separate events, including the Tokyo Olympics.
"You have to be aggressive to win PGA Tour tournaments," he said.
"That's something I've learnt throughout the years and it's definitely not the way I used to play golf.
"Coming from Australia, we're taught to almost play away from the pin and use slopes and be creative that way.
"Whereas over here it's more kind of 'aim and fire' type of golf ... it's definitely something that has changed throughout the years."
Smith notes the American way isn't always best though, the proud Brisbane native declaring his intention to return later this year -- to play and enjoy a local delicacy.
"I'm going to really look forward to that first meat pie," he said.
"That's something they haven't quite figured out how to do here; they do have them but they just don't taste like home.
"So I can't wait to get back there and crack into one of those."
