After Cameron Smith, Open champion,’s non-denial that he would be joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series was followed by Greg Norman promising enough new recruits that LIV will “close shop” for the 2023 roster.
Smith’s historic win at St. Andrews was followed up by a heated exchange about his future plans. All reports indicate that Smith will be the headliner when the startup league announces the latest departures from the PGA Tour.
Smith was annoyed at a question about rumors that he was joining the Saudi-financed league after his first major championship. Cameron Young was one stroke behind Smith, who shot 64 Sunday.
He snorted, “I just won The British Open, and now you’re asking me about that?” “I think that’s not very good. You don’t know what I mean, mate. All that stuff worries my team. “I’m here to win tournaments of golf.”
Brooks Koepka, a major champion, was indignant when asked about LIV speculation at the U.S. Open. He accused journalists of “throwing a dark cloud on the U.S. Open” just as he was leaving the PGA Tour.
Koepka joined LIV three days after another disappointing performance in a major. He did this a few months ago after calling those who joined LIV sellouts and saying he wouldn’t chase the money.
Smith’s game is rising, and it’s not like Koepka’s or most Tour players who have defected. He rose to No. He jumped to No. 2 in the world rankings this week. He is unlikely to be the only hot golfer at LIV this week.
Multiple reports suggest that LIV could include six names, with five of them ranked among the top 100 worldwide.
Smith is not the only one strongly connected to LIV. 14 Hideki Maatsuyama, No. 39 Adam Scott, Number. 57 Marc Leishman, No. 84 Bubba Watson, No. 171 Henrik Stenson.
Matsuyama (2021), Watson (2014), 2012 and Scott (2013) were all Masters champions in the past. Smith was Smith’s Australian Olympic teammate. Stenson is currently the European Ryder Cup captain. If he joins LIV, he will lose that title.
Norman, who was the last Aussie to win Open before Smith, is said to be trying to form an all-Australian team, which would include Scott, Leishman, Smith and one of the other Aussies who joined LIV. This list includes Jed Morgan and Matt Jones. Jones holds two PGA Tour titles including the 2021 Honda Classic.
Norman added to Sunday’s Smith speculation by congratulating his fellow countryman via social media.
“Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! Bravo, mate! It was a triumph for Australia and you, as Australia becomes the first Australian winner in 29 years. You’re in good company. Enjoy every second of your Open win.”
Smith will sign a $90million contract to join LIV, according to reports. LIV’s most contracted golfer is Phil Mickelson, who has a reported value of $200 million. Dustin Johnson was reported to have jumped for $125million. Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson are believed to have made at least $100 million.
Is Rickie Fowler still listed on the LIV List?
Rickie fowler at the 17th hole during round 2 of The Honda Classic at PGA National. (Photo by Bruce R. Bennett/The Palm Beach Post).
Rickie Fowler has been a name that has been linked to LIV Golf for several weeks. However, speculation has slowed. Given his recent decline in game, the 33-year old appears to be a strong candidate. His current world ranking of 149 marks his lowest point in 12 years. Fowler hasn’t won the PGA Tour for nearly 3 1/2 years.
Fowler was last questioned about LIV around a month ago.
He told Golf Channel that his plans were to play the PGA Tour. “But competition is good. It has always been. LIV is certainly interesting and fascinating, so it’s worth taking a look at. However, I haven’t made any decisions about that. It will be fascinating to see how things continue to unfold.
A definite “maybe.”
LIV Golf currently has 21 of the 100 best golfers worldwide, nine of which are among the top 42. Abraham Ancer (20), and Johnson (16) are the only LIV golfers in top 20. Koepka is now No. After missing the cut at The Open in 2022, Koepka is now No. 22. This was his second missed cut in majors this year alongside the Masters. Koepka’s 2022 best finish in major was a T55.
LIV’s next event will be July 28th at Bedminster, New Jersey. Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace were the winners of the first two LIV events. LIV will award $25,000,000 purses to its seven first events this year. The winner will also receive $4 million and a $50,000,000 purse for the season finale at Doral in Miami.
Norman spoke to The Palm Beach Post last week in an exclusive interview. He said that the 2023 field of 48 players was “closed” after last week’s announcements. He was then asked about what would happen if a high-ranking player expressed interest in joining LIV prior to the 2023 season begins in March.
He said, “That’s a huge problem and we will talk it internally to determine what would be needed to do, if any.” “I have always respected and honored the first mover.”
The LIV Golf Series is being suspended indefinitely by the PGA Tour.
After the second round, LIV golfer Talor Gooch stated that “Everybody feels like it’s against us, and we’re OK with that.”
Tom D’Angelo works as a journalist for the Palm Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected]
By: Tom D’Angelo
Title: Speculation centers on Cameron Smith, three former Masters champions jumping to LIV Golf
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/07/19/liv-golf-speculation-cameron-smith-former-masters-champions/
Published Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2022 17:02:56 +0000
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