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‘Petty and corrupt’: America blacks out Aussie golfer Cam Smith

‘Petty and corrupt’: America blacks out Aussie golfer Cam Smith

Golf fans the world over tuned into the final round of The Masters on Monday morning (AEST) to catch the enthralling end to the prestigious event.

The spectacle that takes place around the Augusta National course captures the attention of golf each and every year.

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All eyes were locked fair and square on American world number one Scottie Scheffler as he stormed clear of the field to capture his second green jacket.

But as Scheffler dominated the fairways around Augusta, some viewers were left fuming that other stars had been left in the dark.

Former world number two and Australian superstar Cameron Smith was barely sighted throughout the final round as he finished nine shots back of Scheffler, finishing tied for sixth with Bryson DeChambeau on two under.

The lack of coverage for the 2022 Open Championship winner was called out by irate golf fans on social media with many also noting fellow LIV Golfer Bryson DeChambeau was also rarely sighted after his opening round.

One user wrote: “Absolute blackout of Cam Smith on CBS Masters coverage. Fifth place but zero footage. Unbelievable that the golf media is this petty and corrupt.”

A second added: “Thought this myself. Only shot I saw was his eagle putt. Fleetwood was on a lot in similar position.”

A third wrote: “Jim Nantz made it all the way till Scottie was on the 16th tee before he dropped the top 5 were all PGA Tour players.”

Of course not everyone was in agreement with the reported snub Smith had received as many pointed to his lacklustre final round and how far behind Scheffler he was.

One user wrote: “You mean Cam Smith that finished 9 strokes behind Scheffler? As if any of his shots mattered today.”

A second wrote: “What were they supposed to show outside the eagle on 2? 15 pars and a bogey.”

A third added: “They covered the little fella when he chipped out from his knees on 8. What else do we need to see for a 5th place finish never in the hunt or relevant?”

As Smith struggled to keep up with the frontrunners, Scheffler reinstated his status as the best golfer in the world.

Scheffler shot an ice-cold round of 68 and finally showed emotion on the 18th green, removing his cap and celebrating in jubilant scenes as tears welled in his eyes.

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg made a run up the leaderboard with three birdies on the front nine, but couldn’t challenge the American on the home stretch.

Aberg, 24, shot a final round 69 to finish second at 7-under ahead of Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and Tommy Fleetwood.

Aberg, Morikawa and Homa came unstuck on the 11th and 12th holes, but Scheffler had par on both before cruising to victory with three birdies on the back nine.

The 27-year-old becomes just the 18th player to win multiple Masters title, adding a second green jacket to his maiden major title in 2022.

Scheffler joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Horton Smith as the only players to win multiple Masters titles before turning 28.