‘You might regret joining LIV rebel series’, Rory McIlroy tells Open champion Cameron Smith

Rory McIlroy revealed he has attempted to ‘inform’ Cameron Smith about what he would be quitting as the Open champion edges closer towards the LIV rebel series.

In a move that would severely damage the Tour’s standing in the ongoing civil war, Smith, the world No 2, is expected to join the exodus from the PGA Tour after the Tour Championship, which begins on Thursday.

Against that festering scenario, the Tour came out swinging hard on Wednesday in its latest effort to stem the talent drain, with the announcement of a number of lucrative measures that will stuff the pockets of those who reject the Saudi cash offered by Greg Norman’s breakaway group. 

McIlroy, who along with Tiger Woods has taken a prominent role in driving the PGA Tour’s response, gave Smith an advanced glimpse of the proposals in a video call two days after the Australian beat him on the final day at St Andrews last month.

The changes he trailed, and which have now been unveiled, include: a commitment from the game’s top players to face each other in 20 PGA Tour events per season; 12 ‘elevated’ events with an average purse of $20m, with four more to be announced, which matches the financial rewards at most of the LIV tournaments; a doubling to $100m for the Player Impact Programme bonus pool given to the stars who bring most attention to the game; an ‘earnings assurance programme’ that will guarantee a minimum of $500,000 for each fully exempt player per season and a $5,000 pay-out to those who miss a cut.

In disclosing his call to Smith, McIlroy said: ‘I had a conversation with Cameron Smith two days after the Open, and firstly, I wanted to congratulate him. Guys that are thinking one way or another, honestly I don’t care if they leave or not – it’s not going to make a difference to me.

Tiger Woods (left) and Rory McIlroy (right) will launch their tech-forward stadium series, the TGL, in January 2024 as the fightback against Saudi-funded LIV Golf continues

The live-audience events will also provide a ‘high-energy, greenside fan experience’

‘But I would at least like people to make a decision that is completely informed and basically know this is what’s coming down the pipeline. This is what you may be leaving behind.

‘I just don’t want people making decisions by hearing information from one side. I’ve always said guys can do whatever they want but make decisions based on all of the facts.

‘Sometimes I don’t think some guys made those decisions based on having all the facts in front of them.’

On Wednesday, Tour commissioner Jay Monahan doubled down on his position that none of the LIV defectors can return to the PGA set-up. It has been strongly rumoured that as many as seven leading players, including Smith, will join up with Norman next month.

Rendering of the stadium where the teams of three PGA Tour stars will compete Monday nights