Cameron Smith has made a desperate plea to compete at next year's Masters Tournament, following his move to LIV Golf. Smith was arguably LIV's biggest signing, as the Australian star joined just weeks after being crowned Open champion at St Andrews.
Like many others, the world No. 2 signed on the dotted line for a multi-million pound signing on fee - but whilst his wallet has reaped the rewards his career may have not. Since the saga surrounding the Saudi-backed series began there were discussions that the LIV defectors would be banned from competing at Augusta.
The Saudi-backed series currently finds itself locked in a legal battle with both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, with LIV players currently suspended from competing on the latter's circuit.
Smith - who came agonisingly close to being crowned Masters champion in 2021 - is hoping he will be able to get another shot at it despite his LIV allegiances. Speaking at last week's LIV event in Bangkok, he told ABC Grandstand : “I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get back there.
"It's a place that I love and I've got a pretty good record around there too. It would be heartbreaking if I couldn't get back there." Smith's move to the Saudi-backed series no doubt proved a dagger through the heart of golf's purists, with his move coming weeks after being crowned Champion Golfer of The Year.
As many of his LIV colleagues have done though, the Australian star has defended his Saudi switch - outlining the lesser schedule as one of the breakaway circuit's big pulls. He went on: "LIV having a smaller schedule condensed down into a small period of time, I think we’ll be quite busy there for four or five months. But I’ve been able to have some time off and really develop the game."
Smith secured his maiden LIV title in just his second start in September, after prevailing at the series' fifth event in Chicago. The Australian was unable to replicate this form in his latest outing though, finishing in a disappointing tie for 41st on four-under-par for the event.
