Cameron Smith’s long-time coach says his golfing legacy will be even greater by joining the LIV Tour and questioned those who say the British Open champ’s move is all about money.
Smith was confirmed as LIV Golf’s star recruit on Tuesday night along with fellow Australian Marc Leishman, the pair turning their backs on the US PGA Tour to join Norman’s rebel league.
Smith admitted money played a part in his decision – he was reportedly paid upwards of $US100 million – but he also insisted he was motivated by the opportunity to spend more time in Australia and play on home soil.
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Grant Field, who began coaching Smith more than a decade ago, says Smith’s decision will be a win for Australian golf as Norman and LIV officials look to capitalize on his signing by playing more golf in Australia.
He also revealed that Smith was aware he could miss future majors and that was part of his consideration before he made the leap across golf’s great divide.
“While a lot of people won’t think there is anything (in it) bar money, he is quite a passionate Queenslander and Australian and he wants to be home,” Field said.
“This gives him that opportunity as well. I think it will be great for Australian golf. While some people won’t agree with it, (he has) the ability to do things now in things other than golf.
“He will be able to help a lot of people. I think you will see a lot of good come out of it. I hear a lot of comments about how he will lose his competitive edge.
“He will compete with you in a game of ping pong. The thing is most of those guys at the top have oodles of money. They are at that level for a reason and it is not because they don’t compete or try hard.
“I don’t buy into the claim that it will affect his golf. He will continue to work hard. He still has other goals he wants to meet. As he said, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“His legacy will be helping a lot of other people. Just winning tournaments isn’t necessarily leaving a legacy.”
Smith became arguably LIV Golf’s biggest scalp when he signed on the dotted line given he is the holder of the Claret Jug and the No. 2 players in the world.
His decision will come with scrutiny and criticism given the claims that LIV Golf is merely a haven for sport washing, where countries use sport to improve their public image.
“We’re all able to pick and choose our morality,” Field said.
“If we look deep enough into whether it be the US or most places around the world, I don’t think we would like what we find.
“The PGA Tour has been in China for 10 years. I think it is a bit hard to knock somebody for going for the money when people from around the world go to the US to a tour (the PGA Tour) that has the most money.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to bag somebody. If it wasn’t about the money, why has the PGA Tour increased (the prize money) everything they do.
“I think some of those arguments unfortunately don’t wash. I think there is definitely room in the world for more tours. He is going to cop a bit of flak, no question.
“But there is also going to be a lot of people who are on his side.”
As for the possibility that Smith could miss majors as a result of his LIV link, as was suggested by former Australian Open champion Robert Allenby, Field said: “That will be their choice. They would have to change a lot of their exemption categories.
“The majors aren’t run by the PGA Tour. Hopefully that helps him. He is fully aware that this is a possibility. That is part of the decision he has made and he is fully aware of it.”
Originally published as Golf news: Cameron Smith’s coach says LIV Tour switch will enhance his legacy
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