Cam Smith, one of LIV Golf’s top players at the Masters Tournament this past week, has responded to criticism aimed at breakaway competitors.
Following his impressive performance at last week’s Masters, former Open champion Cam Smith has labeled as “BS” any claims made by PGA Tour players that they have a competitive advantage over their LIV Golf opponents.
Smith tied for sixth place with Bryson DeChambeau at two under par for the week, making him the joint best performer among the 13 LIV stars in action at Augusta. After finishing the tournament in a tie for ninth place at level-par, Tyrrell Hatton became the second member of the breakaway circuit to break into the top 10.
It is reasonable to state, though, that the LIV team did not have the same impact on the Masters standings as they did the previous year, when three of their players—Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka—were ranked in the top five.
Smith refuted the allegations while competing at the storied Georgia course, having observed his fellow LIV stars largely succeed on the big stage. The breakaway league won its first major championship when Koepka won the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, with Smith and DeChambeau rounding out the top-10. This came just weeks after their outstanding performance at the 2023 Masters.
Not at all. When asked if LIV had a lower competitive advantage than rivals on the PGA Tour, Smith responded, “No, that’s BS,” FOX Sports Australia reports.
Sir Nick Faldo, a six-time major champion, had cast doubt on Jon Rahm’s capacity to defend the green jacket following his move to LIV for 2024 last week. In the build-up, Faldo said to the Sky Sports Golf podcast, “I think he feels that [lack of intensity].”
“I am aware of his remarks regarding his observation of the Riviera [Genesis Invitational] and his wish to be present. He probably wished he was in The Players, because I thought it was a good movie. He hasn’t really been put to the test yet because he has been playing resort courses in shorts for the past few months.
“Although he is an incredible player, he will need to exert a little more effort to increase his game and attain the proper level of intensity. We’ll have to wait and see if he can defend himself or if he’s simply not quite sharp enough because he hasn’t put himself through as much stress.” Faldo was right to be able to defend, since Rahm was out of the running for the entire week.
The 2023 winner tied for 45th place at nine over to mark his comeback to Augusta. After his own poor performance, Rahm expressed his frustrations in the aftermath, talking about how difficult it was to have to give his green jacket to new champion Scottie Scheffler during the tournament presentation.
No matter what my score was, it’s been nice to get some receptions and see the gratitude,” he remarked on Sunday. “However, it’s difficult to have to stay right now in order to put the jacket on someone else and never really ever have a chance when you don’t have your best week.”
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