Cam Smith: LIV golfers out to silence critics at Masters 

Cam Smith says he and his fellow LIV golfers are determined to use this week’s Masters Tournament as an opportunity to silence their critics.  

Open champ Smith is one of 18 players in the field at Augusta National who have aligned to the circuit and, speaking to the media today, he insisted that it’s important to all of them to put on a show this week.  

“I think there’s a lot of chatter about these guys don’t play real golf, these guys don’t play real golf courses,” said the Aussie. “For sure, I’ll be the first one to say, the fields aren’t as strong. I’m the first one to say that. 

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“But we’ve still got a lot of guys up there that can play some really serious golf, and we compete against each other hard week-in and week-out. We’re trying to do the same things that we did six months ago. I think we just need a good, strong finish.” 

In a wide-ranging chat, Smith added that he feels his game is ready to contend for a Green Jacket, despite the fact that he has been playing 54-hole, no-cut golf on LIV. 

“Before last year’s Masters Tournament, I played four times,” he said. “I’ve played four times this year. I don’t think I’ve necessarily played less before the tournament. I think it’s more to do with my preparation before I started up. 

“I feel like I’m tournament-ready. It’s just I’ve got a few tweaks here and there to do.  

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“I spent probably an hour out on the range already this afternoon. It was good to see some familiar faces. Lots of laughs and lots of handshakes, and it was really nice. I really wasn’t sure what I was going to expect walking on to the range but it was good to see some familiar faces and lot of smiles. 

“I’m just trying to play the best golf I can. As the LIV tour grows and the fields get deeper and stronger and all that stuff unfolds, it’s just going to be better and better. I can’t wait to see it unfold personally.” 

The tradition of skipping at No. 16 continues. #themasters pic.twitter.com/gIKdMPWwF9

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 3, 2023

LIV commissioner Greg Norman raised eyebrows over the weekend when he said that his players are planning a coordinated celebration around the 18th green in the event that one of them wins on Sunday night.  

That, as it turns out, is news to Smith. 

“There definitely hasn’t been a conversation with me,” he laughed. “If there was one, I definitely got left out of it. 

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I guess we’ll see how the week unfolds.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor