Sunday, 14 April 2019:
 | | CAMERON SMITH of Australia plays a shot during the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. | |
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Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith concede their Masters hopes are on life support but will use Sunday's final round to try and book their tickets to Augusta next year.
Both Australians are among the world's best 30 golfers and would likely qualify for next year's Augusta major regardless.
However, Leishman and Smith can save themselves the hassle by finishing within the top 12.
The pair did it last year when Smith finished tied fifth and Leishman ninth.
They are hoping to repeat their efforts as Smith signed for a 69 on Saturday and a three-under total.
Leishman is a shot further behind at two under having posted a 70 on day three.
"Yeah, I'm probably too far back (to win)," Smith said.
"I'm like to be nine or 10 shots back by the end of the day and I'll need a good round tomorrow and some help from the leaderboard."
Leishman has risen to world No.20 by fighting to salvage respectable results at each tournament he tees up in and said nothing would change for the Masters finale.
"Oh yeah, there is still a lot to play for; a lot of world ranking points, FedEx Cup points and you can get yourself into next year's event," Leishman said.
"It's a go-for-broke day, really. I'm tied for 30th at the moment and we don't come to Augusta to finish 30th.
"So I will try shoot a really low one and see what happens."
Smith is hoping to emulate his final-round heroics at the 2018 Masters when he closed with a 66 - coming home in just 30 shots on his back nine - to finish as the top Australian.
"It would be nice to do that again; anything in the mid 60s would put me right up there," Smith said.
"That's definitely not out of the question but I have to figure out my long game, it has been a frustrating week."
