Australian golfing continues to provide generational talents, with Cameron Smith crowned the 2022 British Open champion on Monday morning.
Smith is the first male Australian to win historic open since Greg Norman in 1993.
The mighty Queenslander was on top of the world after conquering his first major, but his excitement was put to a halt after a reporter asked if he is considering joining the brand-new Saudi-backed LIV tournament.
The new champion answered curtly: “I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that. I think that’s pretty … not that good”.
The question simply shouldn’t be asked to a guy who is on top of the world and who couldn’t care less about a competing tour at the moment.
LIV is a new golfing tournament comprising events played over 54 holes – LIV is 54 in Roman numerals – unlike the regular 72 holes in a PGA or European tour event. It’s quickly emerged as a major rival to the PGA tour, capturing the attention of the golfing world.
The first LIV event was played as an invitational at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon, USA. Thouh highly anticipated, it drew few viewers, with an average of 94,000 people turning in for Round 1 and only 54,000 following up for Round 2 before Saturday’s final saw a restoration back to the first day’s figures.
That said, the tournament was streamed via the LIV website, Facebook and YouTube only, so while the number may not look massive, they shouldn’t be described as extremely low either.
The LIV league will kick off in earnest in 2023 with a 48-player tour. Big names are already on board, such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Patrick Reed. There are many other high-level golf individuals who have already signed a deal with LIV, and you can expect many more to jump ship in the future.
The new competition is attracting many players, and the obvious reason is the big bucks involved. It’s backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is worth around $900 billion and also owns English football club Newcastle United in the EPL, and it’s paying its golfers considerably more than the PGA.
Phil Mickelson was reportedly offered US$200 million (A$290 million) to jump the pond, having made less than half that throughout his entire career on the PGA tour. Dustin Johnson has earnt US$74 million (A$107 million) throughout his career and is reportedly signing a four-year US$125 million (A$181 million) deal with LIV.
The PGA was quick to make it clear that if players were to take part in the LIV tournament, they would not be welcomed back to play in any PGA events.
Coincidently, Greg Norman was the last Australian male to win the British Open before Cameron Smith. Norman is the CEO of the Saudi-backed tournament and has reportedly been in talks with Smith regarding his future and to persuade him to make a move from PGA to LIV.
There’s no more popular golfer on the planet at the moment, having won one of the most important events on the golfing calendar. Signing Smith would be LIV’s most important action yet.
Nat
Roar Guru
I agree but do you think those signatures are that far away? I can cite plenty of examples in different global sports where money attracts a few of the best and a lot of B+ Players to start leaving the predecessor with a few top names who dominate so it becomes pretty ‘ho-humm’. The PGA need to take notice because the heavy hand cannot last long.
Bludger
Guest
LIV did buy the Asian tour, so the players get official ranking points. No, 40 odd is the max. that's the point, it is going to be an elite competition above the PGA tour. My take is this, the USPGA cannibalised our tour, which was vibrant up to the early 1990s. They just kept expanding their tour into our season and left us with nothing. To hell with the Americans, they screwed us and now they are getting their own medicine back. I laugh with every story I hear about this Liv tour. With LIV, Australia has a real chance of hosting an event here with the top players. I hear The Lakes in Sydney from next year. Greg Norman wrote in his book 20 years ago, how a World Tour with the elite players backed by Rupert Murdoch was shot down by the PGA. Then they rebranded his idea and called it 'WGC'. Instead of hosting events around the world, it is just four events and all in north America. Not even a thank-you from the US plagiarists. Eff the Americans, looking forward to watching the elite here in person.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Except at the moment they haven’t signed the best players, or anywhere near the best. Besides Dustin Johnson, who hasn’t won for a couple of years and has just the 3 top 10 finishes this season and Bryson DeChambeau, who has a similar record but worse, with just 1 top 10 finish against 4 cuts missed, they don’t have anyone worth watching. Until LIV can sign some of the elite younger golfers, players like Cam Smith, Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Will Zalatoris and Justin Thomas, it will be a tough sell to the viewers at home. The Saudis have deep pockets and no doubt will wear the PGA down, but I don’t think golf will be the winner in the short term.
Christo
Roar Guru
Hey Joey, I thought I said 54, but must have been a typo sorry.
Cam
Roar Rookie
The LIV blokes may actually be banned from the majors in 2023. Apparently the major organisers will move in unison one way or the other, but it is a very real possibility. Either way, Cam Smith as a past champion, will be able to play the Open regardless of which tour he is on next year. But I would think Cam will give carefully consideration to the decision, especially if signing means he can only play one major for the rest of his career. You would expect companies are queued around the block to endorse Cam Smith and money may not be a motivating factor. Hard to knock it back though..
Tom
Guest
Precisely - it's no one in your family ever having to work again money
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
The other thing is that journalists will keep asking players at EVERY tournament about LIV until there's some kind of resolution to this circus. Even though LIV has received mostly negative press, it's getting oxygen and you can't escape it.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
I think his signing would be the catalyst for change. No way the Masters or indeed any Major in the next 12 months could be taken seriously without having the Open champion there.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
It's hard to know what's going on behind the scenes but if the PGA is not even attempting to negotiate with LIV then they're in for a hard time.
Prez
Roar Rookie
Would be hard to turn down that kind of guaranteed money. Especially if still allowed to play the majors. As majors are what careers are judged by. So could be best of both worlds and mega rich (compared to just filthy rich...)
JGK
Roar Guru
Craddock on the Back Page yesterday said that Norman's influence among the current Aust PGA players shouldn't be underestimated. He said that when an Australian first goes to the US tours, Norman is one of the first on the phone to welcome them and let them know they can contact him if they ever need anything. Personally, if Smith goes I wouldn't be too upset - he's still allowed to play the Majors. And I hear that there's talk of him getting $100m to join - no matter who you are or what you do, that is hard money to turn down.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
LIV is 54 in roman numerals, not 52.
Christo
Roar Guru
Hey, I thought I wrote 54 sorry.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
Good article mate, just a few things LIV is 54 in roman numerals and the first event was held in London at centurion. Hopefully smith doesn’t jump, but if he does, I wonder if Scott, Leish and Day will too.
Christo
Roar Guru
Thats correct Nat, if more quality players and young superstars are bought, then expect more and more people to start tuning into LIV, rather then PGA. PGA and LIV will be in a talent hungry warfare.
Christo
Roar Guru
Hey Ke, i understand that the playing field can expand and much more than 48 players will be signed in the future. From what iv'e heard, when the tour begins next year, their will be just the 48 players too begin.
Nat
Roar Guru
I think the PGA had better watch it’s back. In a relatively short space of time they will come to realise that their brand doesn’t mean a lot to viewers, people want to watch talent. No doubt that money available on the LIV tour is unsustainable but it is plenty right now to get the best signed up and playing at the best locations.
Ke
Guest
Hi Kristo, good read , Do you know if the liv tour will eventually try and expand beyond the 42 field . Because that small field to me looks more like an "exhibition "than " tour " and if no new entrants are allowed it's smells a little like the proposed European superleague. Also why didn't they just buy the Asian tour ?