Open record-breaker Cameron Smith fiercely batted away a question about joining the breakaway LIV Golf Tour.
The Australian was speaking after his back-nine miracle saw him claim the 150th Open at St. Andrew’s, when it had looked for all the world Rory McIlroy’s title to lose. The popular Ulsterman, who was fiercely backed by the packed terraces, went into the final day in co-lead with Viktor Hovland.
McIlroy produced an almost faultless last 18 holes, but he was unable to match the aggression and bravery of his counterpart. And whilst the Irishman’s putter went cold, Smith’s was white-hot picking up shots on five straight holes after the front nine.
He ran into trouble on the daunting 17th but put together a miraculous two-putt to keep his one-shot lead over the travelling pack, before responding to playing partner Cameron Young’s two on 18, with yet another birdie of his own.
McIlroy retained a modicum of hope as he walked up the famous final fairway but after failing to find the green off the tee he was unable to sink a chip which would have sent the stands into pandemonium and the final major of the year into a playoff.
Smith’s 20-under par is a new record for the Open and matches the lowest four-round score ever shot in a Major championship. But with the champagne corks barely popped, the looming spectre of more players jumping ship to the controversial LIV tour reared its head.
A number of high-profile players have already decided to take the riches on offer from the Saudi-backed tour, with the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood already on the roster.
And while the new star of world gold angrily responded to the question about his involvement - he refused to rule out the possibility of joining altogether. "I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that? I think that's pretty not that good,” he said in his press conference.
The Telegraph report that LIV head honcho Greg Norman is targeting an All-Australian team and will make a play to sign the newest Major champions. Smith eventually did answer the question, but continued to be very non-committal: "I don't know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I'm here to win golf tournaments."
Sunday saw Henrik Stenson make the move - losing the Ryder Cup captaincy in the process - while Sergio Garcia confirmed his career in the tournament was ending after leaving the DP World Tour. “I am clear about what I am going to do with the European Tour, probably leave it,” he explained. “I want to play where they want me, I like to feel loved and honestly on the European Tour I don't feel loved now.
“When Thomas Bjorn comes to the BMW Championship and tells us that here 'we don't want any of you and all the players say so' , well, I'm already old enough not to be putting up with nonsense like that
“I feel sorry for the Ryder Cup, my resignation is not official, but I'm going to make it effective. I have what I have and I am very happy with it and I want to enjoy it to the fullest. I will play less, I will be more at home.”
It is expected that more names could be confirmed as moving over to LIV Golf, including former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Cam Smith’s compatriot Adam Scott.
