Cameron Smith nominee for PGA Tour Player of the Year despite defecting to LIV Golf
The whole saga of Cameron Smith leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf just got even more interesting.
Roughly a week after defecting to the Saudi Arabia-funded league, the 29-year-old Australian was named a nominee for PGA Tour Player of the Year alongside staunch PGA supporters Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
There's no denying that Smith had a spectacular season. He had three wins on the season, including his come-from-behind victory over McIlroy in the Open Championship at St. Andrews this summer.
But while his achievements over the season should be enough to give him a solid chance at winning Player of the Year, his decision to stay on the Tour through the playoffs even though it was well known he planned to leave for LIV Golf casts an eerie cloud over his nomination.
The nomination also leaves everyone extra curious as to how the voting will go. Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year are voted on by PGA Tour members, which Smith is no longer considered because he joined LIV Golf. There were certainly some mixed feelings about Smith leaving the PGA -- although fellow nominee Scheffler made it clear a long time ago he isn't a fan of the talented Aussie.
Voting for PGA Tour Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year closes on Friday, September 9. A date for winners to be announced has not been officially set yet.
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