Cameron Smith, who joined LIV Golf shortly after profitable The a hundred and fiftieth Open at St. Andrews, referred to as it the “finest determination” he has ever made.
He made these feedback to the Herald Solar, an outlet from Smith’s native Australia.
“It was the perfect determination of my life,” Smith stated.
“Not solely from the place [LIV Golf] goes and the place it’s going to find yourself but additionally from a life standpoint as properly. The additional time I get to spend in Australia in comparison with what I used to means quite a bit. I really feel like I’m a a lot happier individual now in comparison with the place I used to be earlier than.”
Smith continues to be among the finest gamers on this planet, regardless of his Official World Golf Rating (OWGR) saying in any other case. The Aussie has dropped out of the highest 100, not as a result of Smith has performed poorly however as a result of the OWGR doesn’t award factors at LIV occasions.
Since his win at St. Andrews, Smith has missed just one lower in a serious, which got here at Royal Troon this previous July. On the flip aspect, he tied for sixth at Augusta Nationwide this previous April. Smith additionally posted a prime 10s at Oak Hill and the Los Angeles Nation Membership in 2023. He stays one of many prime gamers within the sport regardless of primarily enjoying on LIV Golf, the place he has received thrice.
His LIV schedule permits him to return to his homeland in direction of the tip of the calendar yr, too, and Smith will play quite a few occasions in entrance of his hometown followers between now and January.
Subsequent week, Smith will tee it up within the Queensland PGA Championship at Nudgee Golf Membership, which is in a suburb of Brisbane, Smith’s hometown.
Then, in November, Smith will play in three extra occasions: the New South Wales Open, the BMW Australian PGA Championship, and the ISPS Handa Australian Open, the latter of which Jack Nicklaus as soon as referred to as “The Fifth Main.” For years, the PGA Tour has uncared for Australia, opting to host most of its tournaments in the US or different locales, akin to this week’s ZOZO Championship in Japan. That has led the as soon as proud Australian Open to decrease in notoriety within the skilled golf panorama. Nicklaus, Gary Participant, and Arnold Palmer competed in it yearly, because the ‘Massive Three’ mixed to win the Australian Open 14 occasions. More moderen winners embody Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, and Rory McIlroy.
You’ll be able to see how golf-starved and sport-crazed the Aussie inhabitants is thru LIV Golf’s annual cease in Adelaide, which has turn into the largest event on the circuit’s calendar. Hundreds of Aussies present up each day, most swarming Smith and his all-Aussie Rippers GC LIV Golf workforce. It has turn into one of many greatest sporting occasions in all of Australia.
“I believe for me, having an occasion in Adelaide this yr, and we’re going again there subsequent yr. That was a lot enjoyable,” Smith stated in November 2023. LIV will return to Adelaide for a 3rd time in February 2025.
“It was enjoyable to play in entrance of the house crowd, and it’s additionally very nice to have an low season at residence in Australia as properly. It’s one thing I haven’t been capable of do for a very long time. So, no complaints right here.”
Smith appears fairly glad together with his life, now that he has performed two full seasons on LIV Golf. He definitely has no regrets.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
