Cameron Smith remembers turning on YouTube and watching the first livestream of LIV Golf’s inaugural event last year at Centurion Club in London.
Smith, who a few weeks later would go on to win the Open Championship, had been involved in plenty of conversation and rumors about him leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, and those ended up being true. But his interest started watching YouTube streams.
“I think it’s definitely a different style of golf to watch, and there’s definitely a lot more stuff going on with the teams,” Smith said. “It’s interesting to watch. I actually love watching it.”
Now, Smith is an integral part of the circuit in its second season, and on Friday, it returns to Centurion Club for the ninth event of 2023. Smith joined LIV Golf after the Tour Championship last year and won the event in Chicago.
Smith, ranked seventh in the world, hasn’t won this year but admitted he got off to a slow start. He finished T-9 at the PGA Championship and then solo fourth at the U.S. Open. He’s a fan of links-style golf and will be one of the favorites at the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in two weeks.
Smith’s move to LIV is also significant after last month’s announcement of the agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is the main financial backer of LIV Golf. There’s no known plan forward yet with rumors circulating about the future of LIV, but Smith is happy with where he’s at.
“I think we’re going to see how stuff unfolds. It’s probably still a little bit early to assume, but yeah, I felt I made the right decision for multiple reasons,” Smith said. “I think the last few weeks is another tick in the box for all us (LIV) guys.”
Last year, LIV had eight events and moved to 14 this year. In addition to the reported signing-bonus money and boosted purses, a lighter schedule is why numerous pros said they left the Tour for LIV.
Smith agrees. He’s a fan of a lighter schedule.
“Exactly like it is this year would be perfect for me, 14 and four majors, I’d take that for the rest of my career,” Smith said.
Then Smith was asked about comments Nick Faldo made last week about whether LIV would survive in the future and remain part of the golf ecosystem. Safe to say he’s confident in the future of the league.
“I really can’t see LIV Golf going away. I think team golf is here to stay, and if you asked every one of us out here, all the 48 guys, I think everyone has such a good time and everyone enjoys what they’re doing out here, they love the competition. That team element really brings three or four guys really close that perhaps weren’t before.
“It’s good to see. It’s unique. I don’t think it’s going anywhere.”