LIV Golfer Cam Smith wants to show up at PGA Tour event
Of all the PGA Tour golfers who defected to LIV Golf last year, Cam Smith probably disappointed golf fans the most when he departed for the breakaway league. But do fans miss him enough to get excited if they see him in the crowd at a PGA event this year?
Smith won't be able to defend his title at The Players Championship 2023 this weekend since his LIV Golf affiliation means he is banned from PGA events. But the Australian, who lives close to TPC Sawgrass where the Players takes place, told GOLF.com he wouldn't mind going to the event as a spectator.
"I'd love to get out there," Smith admitted. "I don't know how it would be received. But even getting out there, watching, walking around in the crowd might be pretty funny."
The fallout from Smith's PGA Tour exit would make an appearance at this weekend's event awkward for fans and golf course personnel alike. Last September, TPC Sawgrass revoked Smith's reserved parking spot at their clubhouse and took away playing perks because he joined LIV Golf.
The former third-ranked golfer in the world had an impressive 2022 season before joining Greg Norman's controversial Saudi Arabia-funded circuit. That campaign included a come-from-behind victory at The Open Championship to beat Rory McIlroy. There were even reports following the event that McIlroy tried to encourage Smith not to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.
Even if Smith decides against being in the crowd at The Players Championship this weekend, he and McIlroy will see each other again in roughly a month since Smith and a handful of other LIV defectors will be allowed to compete at The Masters next month. McIlroy is currently listed as the second favorite to win the event at Augusta National at +750 at DraftKings. Smith is the LIV Golfer with the shortest odds headed into the major event, currently listed at +1400.
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