Cameron Smith has been given a special task by Greg Norman after signing for LIV Golf - and it's not just to light up his tournaments.
Smith, 29, finally captured a first Major title with a sensational final round at The Open Championship in July. But by then rumours had already surfaced that the Australian star was heading to the rebel tour.
And in a devastating blow to the PGA Tour, Smith duly made his move for a fee in the region of £118 million. Compatriot Marc Leishman went with him, with the pair making their LIV debuts at the latest 54-hole tournament in Boston earlier this month.
And now Norman, 67, hopes the pair can bring him a third Aussie star, former world No 1 Adam Scott. The 2013 Masters winners did attend the emergency meeting of PGA players ahead of last month's BMW Championship, and seemingly pledged loyalty after being addressed by Tiger Woods.
But Norman's aggressive pursuit of players has shown no sign of easing, having already succeeded in disrupting the 2023 Ryder Cup by capturing initial European captain Henrik Stenson. And now the 'Great White Shark' has made no attempt to hide his plan to secure Scott's signature.
And he thinks the team element of his tournaments will drive Smith and Leishman to get it done: “There were discussions early on with Adam and I think right now with Marc and Cam being the principals of Team Australia, I think quite honestly it’s over to them,” Norman told Australian publication The Herald .
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“They have to build out the most solid team which gives them the best value going forward,” he continued. “Obviously, they’ll come to us and ask us questions.”
The LIV Golf venture has already been given a significant boost down under this week, after New South Wales sport minister Alister Henskens revealed they are 'ready and willing' to strike a deal with the Saudi-backed series. CEO Norman is almost certain to factor in an event in his native country in his 2023 schedule.
"With some of the best courses in Australia, New South Wales is the perfect place to host major golf tournaments," said Henskens. "We are ready and willing to have discussions about bringing more professional tour events to NSW.”