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.
The nominees for Player and Rookie of the Year are out.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 5, 2022
Player of the Year
⭐️ Rory McIlroy
⭐️ Scottie Scheffler
⭐️ Cameron Smith
Rookie of the Year
⭐️ Tom Kim
⭐️ Sahith Theegala
⭐️ Cameron Young
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.
Who gets your vote for PGA Tour Player of the Year from the three nominees? ️♂️ #golf #PGATour #POTY
— Today's Golfer (@TheTodaysGolfer) September 5, 2022
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.
Cam Smith is heading to LIV and Scottie Scheffler just walked straight through his line pic.twitter.com/QNOoHbQsWM
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) August 11, 2022
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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