LIV's Cam Smith suggests he will make an appearance at PGA Tour event despite ban: 'I'd love to be out there'
It looks like a ban by the PGA Tour may not be enough to keep Cameron Smith away from The Players Championship later this week.
Smith, like all other players who left the PGA Tour to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf, has been banned from tour events.
But as far as major tournaments go, Augusta National Golf Club officials announced in December that golfers who qualified for the Masters tournament based on previous criteria will be eligible to play in April 2023. That is, many players who currently participate in the LIV Golf Series. Masters are likely invited.
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But Smith, who lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. , who lives near TPC Sawgrass, teased that he might still attend this year’s tournament.
“I’d love to go there,” Smith said, via GOLF.com. “I don’t know how it’s going to be received. But even just going there, watching, hanging out in the crowd can be pretty funny.”
If Smith stops going to tournaments it would certainly be seen as a slap in the face to the PGA and the golfers who decided to stay on the tour.
The PGA Tour made schedule changes in response to the rise of live golf, including more designated events without cuts.
Smith has some free time coming up, as LIV Golf doesn’t have another event until March 17.
But if he reaches The Players Championship, Smith will not be able to defend his 2022 title. The Australian will become the first player to miss a title defense at TPC Sawgrass for reasons other than injury.
If he arrives he has to pay to park. Last September, TPC Sawgrass decided to revoke Smith’s reserved parking spot in its clubhouse following his decision to join the controversial circuit.
Before joining LIV, Smith won the Open Championship in 2022 to defeat Rory McIlroy.
But early in his tenure with LIV, Smith has experienced a significant amount of success. His only win to date came at an event in Chicago on September 18.
Smith sits at No. 6 in the LIV standings after the opening event of the 2023 tour in Mayacoba, Mexico.
