LIV Golf: Scottie Scheffler walks directly across rumored rebel Cameron Smith’s line

As the battle rages on between the PGA Tour loyalists and LIV Golf rebels, an awkward moment was captured between Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Smith Thursday. 

Reports emerged earlier this week claiming Smith has already signed with the controversial breakaway but the Australian is still playing at the PGA Tour’s FedEx playoffs this week, which three LIV golfers were barred from on Tuesday. 

The British Open champion was partnered with Masters winner Scheffler during the opening round of the St Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee. 

The World No 1 and 2 would ordinarily bring excitement to any pairing but on Thursday it appeared to bring an added level of drama. 

Scheffler, a outspoken supporter of the tour amid the ongoing battle with the Saudi-funded series, appeared to walk directly across the line of rumored LIV defector Smith, which resulted in an awkward moment.

Smith was trying to read his line when Scheffler crossed in front of him. The American appeared not to notice and was unfazed but Smith looked back with an expression of equal parts bewilderment and disgust.  

The Masters champion appeared to walk directly over the Australian’s line on the green

Smith, winner of the British Open this year, looked far from impressed about the action

In the sport there is a heavy on emphasis on etiquette and walking across someone’s line on the putting green is the golfing equivalent of a cardinal sin. 

Many fans were quick to take to social media to question whether Scheffler’s actions were intentional with some branding the American ‘pathetic’. 

One Twitter user wrote: ‘Pathetic from Scheffler. Going out of his way to walk on smiths line. Can you imagine the ‘mericans of that was the other way round. Just goes to show his real character.’

Viewers slammed Scheffler’s actions as ‘pathetic’, claiming he had shown his colors

Golf analyst Amanda Rose posted: ‘Scottie Scheffler giving Cam Smith the LIV-defector passive aggression already.’

Another slammed the move, claiming they had lost all respect for Scheffler. They said: ‘Inexcusable! Definitely hopes he calls him out on that. Smith is a class act and won’t retaliate, lost all respect for Scheffler here.’ 

While one social media user said Scheffler was ‘salty’ about the deal Smith got offered to join LIV Golf. 

Another said: ‘INAPPROPRIATE for Scheffler to walk between C Smith and the hole while Smith was reading his putt. Scheffler should walk around him in this instance.’

Others branded the move from the World No 1 as ‘inexcusable’ and ‘inappropriate’ 

However, a clip later emerged of Scheffler and Smith high fiving after the Australian holed out for an eagle on the 13th. 

Some viewers insisted there was no tension between the pair and that Scheffler’s actions had merely been an accident.  

One Twitter user said: ‘Multiple outlets showing Scottie Scheffler walking in front of Cam Smith, and concluding it was some sort of FU to Smith cuz he’s reportedly going to LIV when the pair high fived each other earlier is a perfect example that … for the 1,000th time #Twitter ISNT REAL !!’

Meanwhile, some were left on the fence as one user wrote: ‘Considering Cam Smith and Scottie Scheffler were seen giving each other a high five, I don’t think Scottie hates Cam but, maybe he wanted to share his thoughts about LIV…and send a message.’ 

Intentional or not, Smith got the last laugh as finished three-under for the round and tied-20th, while Scheffler managed to claw his round from four-over through five to finish one-over. 

Some claimed it was not intentional, while others remained on the fence over the incident

Earlier this week, Scheffler criticized suspended trio Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford for trying to sue their way back onto the PGA Tour after leaving for LIV Golf.

The trio had their appeal in court to compete in the FedEx Cup playoffs, starting this week at the FedEx St Jude Championship, turned down by judge District Judge Beth Labson Freeman on Tuesday in an early victory for the PGA Tour.

Any player to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf has been banned by the organization.

Scheffler criticized Talor Gooch (left), Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford for suing the PGA Tour

And Scheffler admitted, amid hinting at his disdain of the wider situation, that he is intrigued to see how things unfold. 

‘I’m definitely curious to see what’s going to happen,’ Scheffler said at a press conference on Tuesday. “It’s one of those deals where those guys kind of made their decision to go join another tour and they broke the rules and regulations of our tour and now they’re trying to sue us, which is definitely a bit frustrating. 

‘I heard that was going to happen and I know some guys aren’t surprised to see it, but I definitely am surprised to see some guys now suing us.’