Cameron Smith surprised golf fans when he left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf. Many were taken aback by the Australian's move, especially since he was a prominent figure on the PGA Tour at the time. However, Smith was clear about his intentions: he wanted to earn huge money and take on a leadership role with his LIV team, Ripper GC.
He was one of the first to take a path that many didn't anticipate.
According to media reports, Smith received a signing bonus of $100 million and an additional $40 million for playing two and a half seasons with LIV Golf.
In a recent interview with Herald Sun, the 31-year-old chose to focus on the freedom he feels and the time he can spend in Australia, stating that joining LIV Golf was likely the best decision of his life.
Back in June of last year, Cameron Smith shared two main reasons for joining LIV Golf. At that time, he mentioned that there were many unknowns ahead, and the coming months would provide answers to his questions. Looking at his recent comments, its clear that Smith is pleased with the direction his career has taken.
However, one concern for the Australian is the ongoing lack of a final agreement between Saudi backed Tourand the PGA Tour. A merger between the two tours is highly anticipated, as it would quite ease the path for LIV golfers.
Cameron is aware that the merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will not be an easy thing to complete, given that there are obstacles in this story. Smith then admitted that players are interested in such an option, wanting to see what the future of golf could look like if LIV Golf and the PGA Tour were to act as one entity.
Lucas Herbert reacts: Cam Smith gave me an hour of his time on the chipping ground
LucasHerbert, Cameron Smith's teammate at Ripper GC, expressed similar thoughts. He mentioned that his schedule in 2023 allowed him to play more, which he found really beneficial. He appreciated having time away from the game, as it let him focus on improving his skills rather than just getting ready for tournaments.
28-year-old believes that it is very beneficial to perform at LIV Golf, considering that he has more time for things, he has more space for training, and there are many more advantages that he has as a LIV Golf player.
Herbert also pointed out how much he learned from his teammates over the year, saying it really helped him improve his game.
Playing alongside Cameron Smith and many other famous names is certainly a great thing for a golfer like him who has a long career ahead of him. Herbert uses every moment to pick up knowledge from more experienced golfers, but also from those who, regardless of their age, are just as great, and can learn from them additionally.
The atmosphere at LIV Golf seems to be more friendly, with golfers supporting each other and a noticeable decrease in rivalry. Some find this interesting, believing it could spark competition between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, further engaging golf fans with both tours. Rivalry often captivates sports fans, and this dynamic has been evident in this season's majors.
