$46million Australian LIV Golf star Cam Smith takes swipe at ‘brutal’ PGA Tour
>
$46 million Australian golf superstar Cam Smith takes a swipe at ‘brutal’ PGA Tour as Open champion reveals he keeps hopes of playing in US Masters
- Australian golfer Cam Smith admits he’d be ‘heartbroken’ if he was banned from Masters for LIV loyalty
- The 29-year-old says he’d like to get away from the ‘ruthless’ PGA scheme
- Smith recorded his first LIV win in September, earning $4 million
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Upgraded Australian golfer Cam Smith has teed off on the PGA’s ‘ruthless’ schedule as the Open champion reveals his US Masters dream – which could be questioned given his LIV allegiance.
Smith joined the Saudi-backed LIV league with an unprecedented signing bonus of AU$140 million, officially leaving the PGA tour in which he enjoyed career-defining success, earning more than AUD$40 million.
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman (L) poses with Chicago Invitational Champion Cameron Smith, September 18
The Queenslander is the tour’s biggest player to take a notable Open win, where he birdied the last hole on his final round to outsmart Rory McIlroy.
The 29-year-old says he would like to play on a new schedule that prioritizes golf on a world stage.
“For me, I think I’m really excited to have the chance to play around the world again,” Smith said ABC Tribune.
“It’s (PGA Tour) brutal, to be honest. (But with LIV) with a smaller schedule condensed into a short period, I think we’re going to be pretty busy there for four or five months, but I’ve been able to have some free time and really develop the game.”
Smith celebrates at Punch Golf Course after being crowned winner of his first LIV title, the Chicago Invitational
Still, it’s Smith’s exclusion from the iconic Masters tournament from the PGA tour that could spell his biggest career dream.
After winning The Open, Smith is legally exempt from playing in all four majors for the next five years, with the Augusta National board to make a decision about LIV players.
The 2022 Players Champion is hopeful that his name will reappear in the prestigious event.
‘I’m hopeful that I can get back there’
“It’s a play that I love and I have a pretty good record there too. It would be heartbreaking if I couldn’t get back there.”
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler pumps his fist through Cameron Smith after chipping for birdie at the final round at the 2022 Masters
Smith took his first LIV title in Chicago in September, beating former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson.
The mullet magician won $6.2 million for his tour winnings, $2.3 million more than his historic British Open win, which is arguably golf’s greatest gong.
The now-Jacksonville local finished in a tie for third in this year’s edition of the Masters, ruining a triple look at leader Scottie Scheffler.
Smith laughs with the Claret Jug after putting in a great final lap to win the 150th British Open and outing Rory McIlroy with a punch
After taking ‘almost everything’ out of the winning Claret Jug, Smith is back with LIV and compatriot Marc Leishman, where they are currently in Thailand for the Bangkok Invitational.
Aussie fans will have the chance to see Smith on home soil, with the mullet cult figure announcing his return for the Australian PGA in Royal Queensland from November 24-27.
“I can’t wait to go back to Brisbane, my hometown…I think it’s going to be great.”
He will headline under the stars Lucas Herbert, Min Woo Lee and New Zealander Ryan Fox.