Smith Makes LIV Golf Switch

It was rumoured during The Open, a tournament that Cameron Smith ran out the eventual winner, that the Australian was open to the idea of signing up with LIV Golf. After being pressed for answers by journalists, he failed to confirm or deny suggestions he was considering making the switch, but now it’s official, with Smith becoming the highest-ranked player to sign with the Saudi-backed organisation.

Smith, 29, is the current world number two and, after penning an agreement with LIV Golf, went on to make his debut under their banner in Boston. With two holes to play, Smith was tied for first, but mistakes from there on in saw him slip out of contention, with the Major winner having to settle for fourth place. However, by finishing fourth, he still pocketed over $1 million, proving just how financially tempting the LIV Golf series is.

When speaking about his decision to make the switch, which others have made and been criticised for, Smith explained that the primary reason for leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf was the guaranteed cash on offer for participating in events. It’s a suggestion others who have stepped away from the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf series have made, with guaranteed money providing a safety net that isn’t in place with other organisations.

"Money was definitely a factor in making that decision. I won't ignore that or say that wasn't a reason," Smith said.

"It was obviously a business decision for one and an offer I couldn't ignore,” he added.

Smith, who hails from Australia, the country he still calls home regardless of spending time as a US resident while competing on the PGA Tour, will also reap further rewards on the scheduling front now that he’s joined LIV Golf. Moving forward, Smith will be able to head back Down Under for several months a year, which is another factor that made it easier to come to the conclusion that LIV Golf was the right choice for him.

Smith waited until the culmination of the FedEx Cup before moving over to LIV Golf, as this marked the end of the season on the PGA Tour. The consistent improvements he’s shown in recent times on the PGA Tour and in the majors made him a prime target for LIV Golf chiefs. And when he managed to win the Players Championship earlier this year, they made him an offer that was far too good to refuse. 

Smith joins Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed as major winners who now compete in the LIV Golf series, which two-time major winner Greg Norman heads up. The Saudi-backed organisation and those competing within it continue to receive criticism, but over time more of golf’s biggest stars have decided to transfer from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, and more will likely follow the same path in the coming months.