As per sources, Cameron Smith, the world’s second-ranked golfer and The Open champion, is close to entering into an agreement to join LIV Golf, marking him the latest celeb to sign on with the Saudi-backed organization.
It goes without saying that well-known athletes like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau rejected the PGA Tour and signed lucrative contracts to compete in the new league. Smith is by far the highest-ranked player they have been able to acquire.
If the deal didn’t go through, according to the sources, they would be surprised.
In fact, Smith was questioned by journalists about the rumors that he was participating in LIV after winning at St. Andrews.
Cam’s reply?
While the question didn’t exactly excite him, he didn’t oppose it either.
“I just won the British Open, and you’re asking about that? I think that’s pretty not that good,” Cameron said. “I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”
The amount of money Smith would receive is uncertain, but it will undoubtedly be hefty.
For reference, it is said that Mickelson received $200 million in favor for joining LIV. The contract for DeChambeau was reportedly worth over $125 million. Big deals were given to all the well-known players.
The PGA Tour and LIV are currently engaged in a full-fledged conflict with one another as the new agency has won over some of the top talents in the game with huge financial payouts. The Tour has responded by threatening to suspend any players who sign.
In fact, there was speculation this week that LIV players could not be permitted to participate in the four Majors beginning in 2023, which would be a major setback for the golfers.
Not all of the top golfers have endorsed LIV. Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods both declined big offers. Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV, claimed that Woods’ offer was in the “high nine figures.”
Smith, the 2022 Players Championship champion, won The Open by one stroke on Sunday due to a spectacular golf game. This was his first Major victory.
