Smith reportedly will be among six new players signed to LIV contracts and announced this weekGetty Images
Cam Smith “declined to speak to reporters after completing the final round of the Tour Championship Sunday on the eve of his expected move to LIV Golf this week for its event outside of Boston,” according to Bob Harig of MORNING READ. It has been a “poorly kept secret for weeks, and Smith’s own words have not suggested anything other than leaving the PGA Tour.” It was reported over the weekend by various outlets that Smith will be “among six new players signed to LIV contracts and announced this week.” Billy Horschel, who has said he is staying on the PGA Tour, said of Smith, “If he happens to go, he would be the biggest loss in my mind. You look at his age, you look at what he’s accomplished, how well he’s played in star-studded events” (SI.com, 8/28). In Atlanta, Chris Vivlamore writes Smith has “been long rumored to be leaving for LIV Golf.” But he has “yet to say so publicly.” He declined to speak to reporters “several times at the Tour Championship.” While Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka “may have the biggest name recognition of those who have left for the controversial Saudi-backed golf league, Smith has the biggest current standing.” There was “little fan reaction to Smith joining LIV at the Tour Championship.” One fan was heard to yell “Live for the moment” on the first tee Sunday (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/29).
ANOTHER TOP PLAYER TO JOIN LIV: In London, James Corrigan reports LIV Golf is “set to steal one of the game’s most exciting young players,” as Joaquin Niemann is “due to be unveiled” sometime today. The “capture of Niemann — the highest-ranked player in the world aged under 25 — will cause most raised eyebrows in the locker room because the Chilean was part of last week’s elite players meeting.” In addition to the PGA Tour, Niemann’s defection “would be a massive setback for Trevor Immelman, the captain of the Internationals team which is facing the US in the Presidents Cup in four weeks’ time” (London TELEGRAPH, 8/29). Longtime PGA Tour player Cameron Tringale also announced on his Twitter yesterday he was not renewing his PGA Tour membership for next season and joining LIV (SBJ).
OTHER YOUNG GUNS STICK BY PGA TOUR: GOLF DIGEST’s Joel Beall noted Cameron Young, who was runner up at the Open Championship, said that he is “staying with the PGA Tour.” But he also “sounded like a man who was close to jumping ship.” Following the Tour Championship, Young “acknowledged to a group of reporters in Atlanta that he was intrigued with the Saudi-backed circuit.” Young said that he is “remaining with the tour, ostensibly thanks to the changes that came from the players-only meeting led by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods during the BMW Championship.” Young: “With some of those changes coming, that’s what really helped me decide to stay and pursue those goals that I have for myself, like making the Presidents Cup team or Ryder Cup team and winning a major, when all of that is just uncertain if you go” (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/28). After months of “speculation, Hideki Matsuyama is reportedly sticking with the PGA Tour.” Matsuyama “confirmed that he is not leaving the Tour to sign with LIV Golf.” Trevor Immelman’s International team has “taken hit after hit and would take more with the decisions of Smith and Co.” However, he will “at least still have Matsuyama, who is set to make his fifth appearance in the biennial matches” (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 8/28).
WHAT’S THE POINT? In London, David Walsh wrote of LIV’s future, “I don’t see it being anything like what its masterminds wish it to be.” In return for hundreds of millions of dollars, they have “got one player from the world’s top 20,” although Smith would be a second. LIV’s “dream of having the best players on its tour died the moment the PGA Tour loyalists gathered in a meeting room” in Delaware last week. This was the “moment the balance of power tilted back to the PGA Tour” (London TIMES, 8/28). In Columbus, Rob Oller explained why LIV Golf “leaves me cold.” Oller: “I’m not thrilled the start-up league is funded by the Saudis.” But “not many of LIV’s players are particularly likable, either.” The “majority of LIV fields consist of has-beens and never-weres.” LIV is “exhibition golf, plain and simple.” But “unfortunately, the PGA Tour is moving in a similar direction by increasing the number of no-cut events” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 8/26).