Cameron Smith’s triumph at the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews was a high point in his career, marking him as the first Australian winner since Greg Norman. Following this victory, Smith secured the No.2 position in the world golf rankings and consistently competed on the PGA Tour. Earlier that same year, he had also clinched The Players Championship and narrowly missed out on winning the Masters.
However, speculation regarding his departure to LIV Golf loomed large before the Open, with many expecting an announcement shortly after. When asked about the possibility during his post-win press conference, Smith’s responses did little to dispel the rumours, asserting, “I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that?… I’m here to win golf tournaments.” This sentiment echoed the typical defences used by LIV golfers when confronted with moral questions concerning their Saudi backers.
By August 2022, Smith confirmed his move to LIV Golf, reportedly signing for a staggering $140 million. Unfortunately, this choice has led to a decline in his golfing prominence. In the three years since leaving the PGA Tour, Smith’s presence in major championships has diminished significantly; he has failed to make the cut in recent tournaments and is now ranked just outside the top 200 globally.
Despite initial successes on LIV, including three wins in his first year and a notable performance with a second-place finish in the Australian PGA, his form has waned. He notched only one top-5 finish in 2023 and has since struggled to compete at both the LIV and major levels. His recent performances have been disappointing, with missed cuts at home and lacklustre finishes in the majors.
Smith still holds the right to compete in the Open until he reaches 60, and he has a five-year exemption to the Masters, PGA Championship, and US Open as a former champion. However, he is running out of opportunities to capitalise before these exemptions expire.
The current state of play in golf appears uncertain, as a potential merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf progresses slowly, leaving Smith’s future dangling. Alongside other notable players who shifted to LIV, there is a growing sense of regret, particularly for those, like Smith, who were once seen as the sport’s rising stars.
While Australian women golfers such as Minjee Lee and Grace Kim excel, Smith’s earlier promise is now overshadowed by his choice to chase financial gain over legacy, a decision now viewed as a significant misstep in his career. As he himself might say, that’s not that good.