Cam Smith warned he “might need a haircut” if he wins Masters

Despite a double-bogey at the 18th, Cam Smith’s bid to win The Masters got off to a fine start on Thursday.

The Aussie, the winner of The PLAYERS Championship last month, opened with a four-under 68 to set the early clubhouse target at Augusta National.

Smith, 28, is heavily fancied to win his maiden major this week and become only the second Aussie to claim a Green Jacket, following Adam Scott in 2013.

There is, of course, a long way to go just yet but should he go on and complete the victory, Smith has been warned that he might need to make a pretty significant change to his appearance.

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Speaking after getting the 86th Masters under way this morning, three-time champion Gary Player joked that Smith may be required to trim his famous mullet if he wins.

“I’d love to see how he’s accepted with that long hair in the clubhouse,” laughed the South African. “They might tell him to have a haircut.”

Player was quick to point out that he was only “pulling his leg”, adding: “He said his girlfriend is very happy [with the hairstyle] and you’ve got to please them, you know.”

Player added that Smith was his pre-tournament pick to win The Masters.