A Major Champion Rumored to be Leaving the PGA Tour
On Sunday, Cameron Smith entered the day four shots off of the lead held by Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland. Smith was playing with Cameron Young, who would start off slow, but finish with an eagle and catapulted himself into second place. Smith shot minus two on the front nine, but started the back nine with five consecutive birdies. Smith played the back nine like how he played the whole round on Friday. Smith got his chipping and putting activated and caught up to McIlroy and became unstoppable. Smith made a birdie on the driveable par four 18th, which put him two shots clear of McIlroy. McIlroy played well all Sunday, but not good enough to win his second Open Championship and fifth major title. Smith, who won the 2022 Players Championship, just won his first major title and became the second player to win both the Players and the Open in the same season, joining Jack Nicklaus.
Smith in his interviews after the round, was asked about the rumor of him nearing a deal with the rival golf league, the LIV Tour, to which he responded with “I just won the British Open, and you’re asking about that. I think that’s pretty not that good.” Smith was asked again and he gave a different response, “I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.” Smith didn’t confirm nor deny if the rumors were true.
Another name is set to join the LIV Tour, which is 2023 Ryder Cup captain, Henrik Stenson. Stenson is being recruited to LIV just for the simple fact he’s the Ryder Cup captain, which would strip him of his title. If LIV lands both Smith and Stenson then the PGA is going to be in some trouble, losing a Ryder Cup captain and young star from their tour. Smith would be the highest ranked player to join LIV and be one of their few young players on their tour. Other players being linked to the LIV Tour are Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, and Hideki Matsuyama.
