Cam Smith: LIV golfers “silenced critics” at Masters

LIV golfers made a hugely impressive start to the 2023 men’s major season at last month’s Masters – but, according to one of the league’s most high-profile players, nobody should have been surprised.

Open champion Cam Smith says he fully expected to see the likes of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed contend for the Green Jacket.

Speaking in the latest edition of bunkered (issue 202), the Aussie added that their impressive showing was further validation for the much-maligned, Saudi-funded circuit.

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“I’m really not sure what people were expecting to be totally honest with you,” said Smith. “It was almost as if they thought that we’d joined this new league and forgot how to play golf, which is a bit ridiculous really.

“So, yeah, I mean it was great to see some of the guys doing so well at The Masters but, honestly, it wasn’t that big a surprise to me. I see how good everybody is every week. They’re world-class golfers, proven major champions in many instances, and they all still work their arses off.

“This idea that they’re not as motivated as they were or that they don’t put in the graft like they used to just isn’t the case.”

The next challenge for Smith and his colleagues is to contend again in this week’s US PGA Championship at Oak Hill. The 29-year-old goes into the tournament off the back of a runner-up finish in last week’s event in Tulsa and, given how well they performed at Augusta National, it would be no great surprise to see a LIV man holding the Wanamaker Trophy aloft on Sunday night.

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“I think The Masters was a really good week for the tour,” said Smith. “We needed it, to be honest. It proved a lot of people wrong and hopefully silenced a few critics. It feels as though there’s real momentum with us just now and you would have seen that in Adelaide, for example.

“That was a really great week. It was amazing to see so many people out there, enjoying the golf, loving the vibe and having fun. That’s what it’s all about. We’re in a really good place right now and it’s pretty exciting.”

• Read the full interview with Cam Smith in issue 202 of bunkered, on-sale later this week. Subscribe to receive every edition delivered direct to your door. Click here for details. International subscriptions also available.

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