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Cameron Smith is among the 17 LIV Golf players invited to compete at the 2023 Masters tournament. Amidst the start of the prestigious green jacket battle, Smith came up with a quirky remark.
Speaking with the reporters after the pro-am at Orange County National on Thursday, Smith said:
"Most of us will get four cracks at it this year [in the majors], and hopefully we get maybe a win out of it. Maybe we just show a really hearty effort. I think for us, internally, there's a lot of chatter going around about 'these guys don't play real golf anymore.' And I think it's B.S. to be honest. And we just want to show people that."
Later on, reigning Open Championship winner Cameron Smith, who made a switch to LIV Golf last year, said that he is going to play the best golf at the 2023 Masters.
"Obviously first and foremost for me, I'm trying to go there and play the best golf I can. I think it is important for us to go there, really show a high standard of golf which we know we're all capable of."
In four of his previous five appearances at the Masters, including a tie for third place last year, Smith, the fifth-ranked player in the world, placed inside the top 10. In 2022, he began the final round 3 shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler and finished 5 shots adrift after shooting a 1-over 73. At the 2020 Masters, Smith matched for second place while Johnson led by five strokes.
Cameron Smith is unsure of the reception he will receive from PGA members at Augusta.
"I'm really not sure, to be honest I hope that it's fine. I've had a great career around Augusta, and I hope I haven't pissed anyone off. I guess we'll wait and see, there are a few guys who have a stronger stance [on LIV]."
17 LIV Golf players are invited to the 2023 Masters
The tournament will feature past Masters champions Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson. Cameron Smith, who won the Open Championships last year, also made his way to play at the 2023 Masters.
- Dustin Johnson
- Phil Mickelson
- Brooks Koepka
- Thomas Pieters
- Bubba Watson
- Abraham Ancer
- Sergio Garcia
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Jason Kokrak
- Talor Gooch
- Kevin Na
- Louis Oosthuizen
- Joaquin Niemann
- Charl Schwartzel
- Patrick Reed
- Harold Varner
- Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith since joining the LIV Golf
Australian professional golfer Cameron smith made headlines after switching to cash-rich Saudi-backed LIV golf last year.
In his first LIV appearance in Boston, Smith tied for fourth place, with Dustin Johnson taking first place in the three-man tiebreaker. He triumphed on his second attempt, finishing on 13-under par after rounds of 66, 68, and 69 to win by three strokes over Dustin Johnson and Peter Uihlein, who had previously won. From his four outings at LIV Golf, Smith earned more than $5 million.
Smith will make his fourth appearance of the year at the LIV Golf League competition this week. In September, he triumphed in a LIV Golf event outside of Chicago, and in November, he claimed the Australian PGA Championship.
