Cameron Smith said he accepts the fact that he cannot compete for the International team at the Presidents Cup due to his decision years ago to join LIV Golf.
Now that LIV’s initial financial backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, have withdrawn support going forward, the league’s future business and competitive models (often dubbed “LIV 2.0”) are murky at best.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald published Sunday, Smith explained where he stood on his own competitive future.
“(We’re) in a bit of a limbo … we don’t really know,” the Australian said of LIV Golf. “It’s hard to make a decision when you don’t have at least some of the answers to make the right decision, or (any) decision. We need a few more answers.”
Faced with the potential option of serving a 12-month suspension from the PGA Tour and perhaps playing the DP World Tour during that time, Smith replied, “I guess that’s one way; the other way is (staying with) LIV.”
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this year. In the filing, Smith was listed as a creditor owed $4.8 million by LIV in unsecured claims.
The league has an agreement in place with BC Partners Advisors for restructuring support. However, the agreement includes a condition that at least 50% of players with financial claims against the league must agree to participate in LIV 2.0 within 35 days of the bankruptcy filing. That group must also represent at least two-thirds of the total dollar amount of player claims.
Smith, the 2022 Open champion, has played in just one Presidents Cup, back in 2019. Unlike the Ryder Cup, the PGA Tour operates the team competition between the United States and the rest of the world (excluding Europe), and members of LIV Golf have been banned.
“I’ve definitely accepted it,” Smith said about being excluded from the Presidents Cup. “I knew that was one of the, I guess, downsides to going to LIV, and I’ve fully accepted that. I sent (Adam Scott) a message congratulating him on a great week at (the BMW PGA Championship), and wishing him the best for the Presidents Cup. I’d love to see him win one.”
Smith, 33, also admitted he hasn’t been pleased with his results in recent years. His last win of any kind came at LIV Golf Bedminster in August 2023.
“I know I haven’t played my best golf the last couple of years,” he said. “It eats at you a little bit, and you try to get out of the slump.”
–Field Level Media
