Cam Smith’s chances of competing at the Olympic Games in Paris are in doubt over his falling world ranking, but one of his LIV Golf teammates has called for a change in the qualifying process
LIV Golf star Marc Lieshman has called on a change in the qualifying system for the Olympic Games, with former Open champion Cam Smith in danger of missing out.
Lieshman and Smith both represented Australia at the last Olympics in Tokyo back in 2021. Three years on though there could well be a changing of the guard for the Aussies, with LIV Golf still yet to acquire recognition from the Official World Golf Rankings.
As things stand, each country’s top two-ranked players earn a place in the event that will take place at Le Golf National – the home of the 2018 Ryder Cup – in Paris next summer.
Despite announcing himself as his country’s top golfer in recent years, Smith’s move to LIV last August has put his chances of representing his nation in jeopardy due to their events continuing to go ahead without world ranking points. Like many of his fellow rebel players, Smith has fallen down the ranking list during his time with the breakaway league.
The Australian entered the LIV setup as the world’s second-best player, but after only seven OWGR-sanctioned events—including all four majors in 2023—he has fallen to 20th place. Leishman, Smith’s teammate in LIV, has demanded that the goalposts be shifted so that Smith can return to the Olympic arena in the event of another fall.
“I don’t think I’ll be in it [the Olympics], but it’s very hard for me [Leishman], hopefully they can do something so Cam [Smith] can play,” Leishman said, as reported by Nine.com. “I hope it doesn’t affect the world rankings, as I believe Cam is currently the best Australian golfer and should be competing in the Olympics.”
Last week, Smith and Leishman made their comeback to the DP World Tour, having flown back to their home country to participate in the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane. The Australian duo had the opportunity to gain some much-needed ranking points thanks to their return to the Tour, but many were surprised when Smith, the tournament favorite, was unable to take advantage of it.
The reigning champion shot nine-over-par for the week through the first 36 holes at Royal Queensland, missing the cut by an enormous seven shots. “Australia has been so good to me, there’s no reason to perform like that,” Smith said, clearly unimpressed and emotional. Not acceptable.
Yes, without words. S***. I’ve done performances under duress before, and it’s not appropriate—in fact, it can be quite upsetting. Going out there and committing to something is something else entirely, even though I know what I’m doing.” Leishman, on the other hand, had a much better week and placed third after the final round on Sunday.
With a four-round total of 20-under, Australian Min Woo Lee emerged as the winner and the real MVP of Brisbane. The Australian was four shots behind Lee. Lee has a good chance of taking Smith and Leishman’s spots on the Australian Olympic team.
Following his victory, the 25-year-old rose to the 38th spot in the world, his highest ranking to date. And given that Lee has emerged as one of the PGA Tour’s and DP World Tour’s most promising prospects over the past 12 months, it wouldn’t be shocking to see his standing improve in the upcoming months.
Jason Day is currently just behind Smith in 21st place, making Smith the highest-ranked Australian golfer on the planet right now. Naturally, Lee is ranked 38th elsewhere, while Cam Davies and Adam Scott, who are ranked 43rd and 47th in the top 50, are also present.
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