The Masters: Colin Marikawa will adopt the new method in Augusta; Cameron Smith

Colin Marikawa believes he has learned a valuable lesson about how to deal with Augusta National before bidding for the third leg of a career grand slam at The Masters.

Marikawa finished 44th in her debut in November 2020 and claimed only 18th place in last year’s competition, both years after the Americans realized that golfers would have to play a draw to succeed around the Georgia layout.

The two-time major champion has abandoned plans to stick to his usual shot form for this year’s competition, with Morikawa hoping to follow seven world top-10s with his first win in 2022.

Colin Marikawa won the PGA Championship in 2020 and The Open last July

“I think the biggest thing is, I have to play my game,” Marikawa said. “You hear (in Augusta) how much you have to hit to draw and you have to hit it high and you have to do some things, but in the last two years I’ve done it wrong.

“Two years ago and last year my preparation week was how can I draw, how can I draw a high, how can I do it. This year was a little different. This year I made sure everything was fine tuned and I went there and figured out how to play the course with my strength. “

Marikawa admits to having limited knowledge of golf history, focusing more on building his own legacy in the game than looking back at the highlights of past events at No. 3 in the world.

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We asked golf fans if they thought they would win the 2022 Masters, which will begin live on Sky Sports this Thursday.

“I would say again, the history of golf goes to one ear, to the other ear, to the eye, out of nowhere,” Morikawa added. “Things just don’t stick in my head. It’s not that I don’t respect it and take it the wrong way, as I fully respect the game. I just want to win. I’d like to be out here. I want to make history.

“Go back to The Open and people are asking me, ‘What is your first memory?’ I never really had one. I just love playing games. “

Smith ‘hungry’ for big success

Cameron Smith is back in action for the first time since winning The Players last month, arriving at the Australian Augusta National as one of six players who could finish the week at number one in the world.

Smith will need a win and other results to work his way up to the top of the sixth, two years after breaking 70 in four rounds at The Masters as the first player in tournament history.

Cameron Smith’s goal is to set a great record at Augusta National

The 28-year-old, already a two-time winner in 2022, broke the PGA Tour scoring record on his way to winning the Champions Sentry Tournament, with Smith now looking to join as the only player to win the Tiger Woods. Player and The Masters in the same year.

“I’m feeling quite hungry,” Smith said when asked about his appetite for further success. “It’s a good time of year to play (a) good golf. I’ve still been working hard the last few weeks at home, and I really can’t wait to get back here this week.

“I got three weeks off after the players. Yes, just ready to compete. I don’t think I’ve played much in the last few weeks. Hit a few balls here and there and focus on short play for the surroundings here.

“I think I have the game already (for a major win). Players like to tick that box, I guess, but I think any week I can compete against anyone. I feel really confident in my game. I think I can play any shot in any situation and I’m ready to go. “

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