Cameron Smith Shoots 68 Despite "Really Frustrating" Opening And Closing Double Bogeys
The World No.6 took the clubhouse lead at The Masters after a round that featured eight birdies and two doubles, coming at the 1st and 18th holes


Cameron Smith was left to rue opening and closing double bogeys in what was a four-under-par 68 to start his 2022 Masters.
The Aussie, in the form of his life after winning the Players Championship in his last start and the Tournament of Champions in January, made eight birdies on day one at Augusta National to take the early clubhouse lead at four-under-par.
Despite the double bogey start, Smith found himself six-under-par on the 18th tee but gave another two shots back following a sliced drive into the trees and then a three-putt after being forced to lay up. He described the two doubles as "really frustrating" but said he would have taken four-under at the start of the day.
"I think 1 and 18 was obviously really frustrating. I think it'll motivate me the next few days," he said. "I feel like I played some really solid golf today, and to be four-under is a little bit disappointing. But given the condition of the golf course and the condition with the wind and stuff like that, if you had have given me four-under at the start of the day, I would have taken it."
Smith told media his short game saved him a little in the opening round, especially on the fifth where he chipped in, but remained adamant that "you've got to hit really quality iron shots" to win around Augusta.
"I love this place. I think my short game has definitely got me out of a lot of bad spots around here, but at the end of the day I think you just need to give yourself opportunities. You need to hit your irons close, and you need to be really good with the putter," he said.
"I think the chipping maybe helps you out once or twice during the week with a bit of a scruffy round, but I think if you're going to win around here, you've got to hit really quality iron shots."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
- LIVE Blog: Day 1 At The Masters
VIDEO: Things you didn't know about The Masters

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
-
'When There’s No One Around Is When I Hit My Worst Shots' - Michael Block Reacts To Missed Cut At PGA Championship
The club pro missed the cut by 14 strokes at Quail Hollow and said after that he wished more people were following him to inspire some better play
-
The Monstrous Driving Distance Numbers Bryson DeChambeau Is Recording At The PGA Championship
The US Open champion is a full 18 yards clear of the field in the driving distance category
-
Rory McIlroy’s Classy Gesture To Man Behind ‘The Marker That Won The Masters’
Rory McIlroy has shown his appreciation to the man who made his Masters marker with a hugely classy gesture
-
Rory McIlroy Goes Back To His Roots And Reveals Surprise Message From A Music Icon In Entertaining Jimmy Fallon Appearance
Along with revealing messages from music icons and Hollywood stars, Rory McIlroy went old school on Jimmy Fallon's show as he was back chipping into washing machines like he did in his TV debut aged eight
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters Display
Akshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
-
The Most Wanted Item From The Masters Shop Is Being Listed On Ebay At Almost 4,000% Higher Than Its Original Price
The 2025 Masters Gnome is called 'Peaches' and has been commanding an extremely sour price after being put up for sale online this week....
-
Rory McIlroy's Sports Psychologist Explains Why He 'Didn't Talk' To Bryson DeChambeau In Masters Final Round
DeChambeau raised eyebrows at Augusta National when claiming that McIlroy wouldn't engage in conversation during the final round of The Masters
-
'He Won't Stop Striving For Improvement' - Sports Psychologist Believes Rory McIlroy Has The 'Mindset, Focus And Drive' To Carry On Excellent Start To 2025 Season
We spoke to experienced Sports Psychologist, Gareth Shaw, about McIlroy's incredible Masters win and how the five-time Major can push on even further in 2025
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Win More Popular Than Tiger Woods In 2019 As Incredible TV Ratings Released
McIlroy's role as golf's primary needle-mover continued on Sunday as the Northern Irishman's fifth Major attracted an awful lot of eyeballs in the USA...