Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman defect to play LIV Golf
We may well have seen the last of Smith and Leishman on the PGA Tour as both sign up for the LIV Golf League.
One of the worst kept secrets in golf has finally been revealed as Open champion Cameron Smith signs up to play in the Saudi Arabian government-backed LIV Golf events.
Smith’s defection is considered to be the biggest blow to the PGA Tour yet. The current Open champion, ranked number two in the world, and just coming into the prime of his career.
And Marc Leishman is also making the jump with him. Both will presumably join and beef up the All-Australian, Punch GC LIV Golf team.
Both Smith and Leishman will almost certainly be suspended from the PGA Tour and excluded from playing in the Presidents Cup.
It’s hard to believe we won’t be seeing Smitha and Leishman play on the PGA Tour any longer.
For a thorough analysis, please check out Geoff Shackelford’s report on Smith’s defection.
There’s also the question of motivation once transitioning to LIV. Smith is a lawn-mowing-loving Aussie who wants to own a coffee shop when he retires. Will being set for life to the tune of $100 million or more see Smith glide around the world for a few years before growing bored and opening up Cam’s Road Hole Diner?
Or will his robust reserves fuel even more free-spirited play?
No matter what Smith says when he’s wheeled out for the inevitable awkward LIV press conference, he has been less than honest about his plans. He grew irritated at the 16th question after winning The Open at St Andrews.
And the same goes for Joaquin Niemann, Anirban Lahiri, Cameron Tringale and Harold Varner III. Incidentally, Varner took to social media to let everyone know why he left. At least he was honest.
Greed is a sad thing , it strips you of any form of integrity.
Very sad to hear !
Hopefully more will follow and stop the dictatorship that is the PGA. We just need easier broadcasting avenues.