This Is Cameron Smith’s Explanation For Leaving The Tour To Play For Liv Golf And Why He Did So
Cameron Smith outlined the main reasons why he is choosing to leave behind the PGA Tour – and why it involves so much more than just a reported nine-figure payday – in his first public remarks since his controversial move to LIV Golf.
During a press conference at The International outside Boston, the site of the fourth LIV tournament, Smith told reporters that he signed up for the rival league because he believes that LIV represents the future of golf and acknowledged that the limited schedule will allow him to spend more time living back home in Australia each year.
The day after Smith’s long-rumored decision finally became official, he said in his introductory news conference alongside Marc Leishman, “I’m really excited to be here,” as he spoke during his introductory news conference.
In my opinion, this is the future of golf. There is something about being out here that I love. On the range, it’s a little more laid back, there’s music playing, and it’s a little more relaxing.
There is something about that stuff that I absolutely adore. “I am so excited to be a part of this process. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Adding Smith to the LIV tour is arguably the most important move the upstart tour has ever made, as he joins the tour as the defending champion of two of the five most important stroke-play events of the year, the Open and The Players.
This Is Cameron Smith’s Explanation For Leaving The Tour To Play For Liv Golf And Why He Did So
In an interview with the PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, Smith said he has not resigned from the Tour, despite the fact that he will be suspended from the Tour when he tees it up on Friday morning in the first round of the 54-hole tournament.
The same can be said for the rest of the defectors (Leishman, Joaquin Niemann, Harold Varner III, Cameron Tringale, and Anirban Lahiri) who will make their LIV debuts this week as well.
He said that he had been in contact with LIV over the past few months, before he won his first major title at St. Andrews, as he had been communicating with them over the last few months.
In addition to Rory McIlroy, a few Tour players have reached out to him to discuss his decision, and he also had a chance to sit down with Monahan to discuss it. In spite of this, Smith decided to move on with his life.
In his own words, “I think this was the right decision for me,” he said. In my opinion, this is the future of golf as we know it.
“I think it has been the same for a very, very long time, and it needs to be stirred up a little bit in order to make it a bit more interesting.”
Also playing a part in Smith’s decision was the fact that he had the option of living in Australia for a few months of the year. Even after Smith moved to the U.S. in 2015 to pursue his dreams of becoming a golf pro, his family has remained back home.
In addition, LIV will likely announce an event in Australia, and the condensed league schedule (the season is expected to wrap up around the end of the year) will allow him to spend more time at home.
There is going to be a part of my life that I am looking forward to getting back to as soon as possible,” he said.
As opposed to many of his peers who have bolted for LIV, Smith is exempt from competing in any major championships for at least the next five years following his win at The Open.
A few weeks ago, Smith had the chance to become the No. 1-ranked player in the world, but he will soon see his world ranking take a hit with LIV events no longer offering points to its players.
I am in the process of reviewing LIV’s application for membership on the OWGR board.
“I hope that in the future these world-ranking points will be sorted out before my exemption expires,” Smith said. In my opinion, it may be a bit unfair to the fans of major-championship golf if the announcement is made now.
Having the best players in the best fields on the best golf courses is what makes majors the best tournaments. It would be great if we could sort that out.”
As far as Smith is concerned, he still holds out hope that he will be able to be a part of the International Presidents Cup team at Quail Hollow next month, despite the fact that suspended players are currently ineligible to play.
The International team has been decimated by defections, with Smith, Niemann, Abraham Ancer, Louis Oosthuizen, and Carlos Ortiz among those who probably would have played in this biennial event had they stayed on.
“I have spoken to Trevor, and Marc has also spoken to Trevor – we remain willing to compete in that event. It is my hope that we will be able to accomplish this,” Smith said.
As a member of the broadcast team out there, Trevor has become a really close friend of mine over the past couple of years.
I hope we will be able to get to Charlotte and represent Trevor and the Internationals there.”