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Cameron Smith says he will lean on his support team heavily as he prepares to better his tie for fifth at last year's Masters at Augusta National.
Cameron Smith believes the support team he's assembled will play a key role in his quest to join fellow Australian Adam Scott in Masters glory at Augusta National.
Preparing for his third Masters, Smith is regarded by his inner sanctum as the same humble youngster from Brisbane's northern suburbs who has refused to let earning $US8.4 million on the US PGA Tour change his attitude.
The 25-year-old won over Australian hearts last year when he said "I'd do anything for the juniors" of Australian golf after paying for young Queenslanders Louis Dobbelaar and Jed Morgan to fly to his Florida base and study his routine.
Smith credits his modesty to a team headlined by New Zealand caddie Sam Pinfold, long-time coach Grant Field, exercise physiologist Nick Randall, American girlfriend Jordan Ontiveros and assistant Jack Wilkosz - a childhood mate who moved to the US last year.
The world No.28 also regularly flies out his father, Des, mother, Sharon, sister, Melissa - and close family friends Jason McDonald and Trevor Spice.
Add in another good friend Luke Humphries, and Smith's entourage at Augusta this week is up to 14.
Smith said he will lean on his team as he chases a maiden major title at the 83rd Masters this week.
"I'm lucky to have a great team around me," Smith told AAP.
"Everyone does their job so well and that allows me to perform on the course.
"Especially when it comes to a tournament as big as the Masters; we all have to be switched on."
The Queenslander's first top-five at Augusta was thanks to a sizzling 66 on the Sunday which included a back-nine of 30, equalling the scoring record after the turn for non-American players.
Smith is confident of another strong finish given he feels more comfortable with each trip to Augusta.
"At my first Masters, I was basically shitting myself on every shot," Smith said of his tie for 55th in 2016.
"But I'm starting to get to know the shots I need to hit and I'm not as nervous as I used to be coming here."
His stats suggest his game is tailor-made for Augusta, which demands accurate iron play and a razor-sharp short game.
On the PGA Tour's 'strokes gained' measurement, Smith ranks 35th in approach play, 19th around the green and 17th in putting.
But one of his biggest weapons, according to Field, is his ability to block out the pressure of major championships.
Smith tied fourth on his major debut at the 2015 US Open.
"Cam has that personality that lends itself toward playing well at the Masters," Field told AAP.
"He really doesn't get wrapped up in the Masters hype, or what goes on around it.
"He is really good at going in and doing his business and trying his best to treat it like any other golf tournament."
