Cam Smith wants LIV Golf to continue but would '100%' return to PGA Tour if it folds

On the eve of the LIV Golf New York event, Cam Smith said he wants LIV Golf to continue but would "100%" return to the PGA Tour if the breakaway circuit ceased to exist. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced in April that it will not continue its financial support of the league beyond this season.

Smith, a former world No 2, signed with LIV Golf in 2022 on a deal reported to be worth $140m and serves as captain of the all-Australian team Ripper GC. He stressed the impact the circuit has had on Australian golf and grassroots initiatives, saying: "What we’ve been able to do for golf in Australia is ​really quite important to me, junior golf, the Little Rippers, the event ‌that we have down there, the people it ‌brings out to showcase our great league." He added: "I’d hate to see it go away. We’ll see what happens."

Addressing the prospect of returning to the PGA Tour if LIV folded, Smith said: "I mean, if it was the only option, I think that’s where everyone would want to ⁠be for sure, 100%." He also remarked that a return would "go back to old times."

On why he wants LIV to survive, Smith said: "I want it to work, really, to be honest. It’s great fun out here. The team that we’ve got, I feel like we make each other better, better people and better golfers as well." His captaincy of Ripper GC was cited as part of that team environment.

Smith pointed to measurable effects in Australia, noting LIV’s Adelaide event in February attracted more than 115,000 fans across the week, making it "the highest-attended golf event in the country’s history." He linked that turnout to broader participation trends, saying: "Australian golf is important to me. I think it [LIV] improves it. I think all the numbers are up. The memberships are up. Social play is up. I think that’s in part because of us. So I think it would be a ‌shame for Australian golf if it did go away."

Amid reports the LIV Golf Team Championship scheduled for late August in Michigan may be canceled, players have reportedly been told to prepare as if it will go ahead and Smith said he is doing just that. He referenced last year’s stop in Detroit, saying: "We had a great year there last year in Detroit, and we’re hoping we get back there," of the season-ending event set at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, a Detroit suburb.

Smith said the LIV team is working hard "behind the scenes" to secure playing opportunities next year and that he hopes to learn more at an upcoming players’ meeting. On the league’s immediate future he added: "I don’t really ‌understand what is going to ​happen. I think it’s all ​up in the air. I feel like we’re well-informed, but I feel like a lot of it is still up in the air. We don’t know."

Contracted through the end of next year, Smith said he planned to play until then and to renegotiate afterwards: "I’m contracted to the end of next year, so I was expecting to play until the end of next year and renegotiate and hopefully go on." On his current approach to outside options he said: "I’m a positive guy, so I’ve made no effort to go seek anything ‌else."