Cameron Smith has opened up on a phone call he shared with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who looked to persuade the Aussie star to decline an offer from LIV Golf. Smith was one of LIV's biggest signings, after the 29-year-old joined the Saudi-backed series just weeks after becoming Open champion at St Andrews.
A man who has vocally found himself on the other side of golf's ongoing civil war surrounding LIV Golf is McIlroy, who has proven to be a key piece of armour in the PGA Tour's defence. So much so, the Northern Irishman and fellow star Tiger Woods headed an all-player meeting which reportedly aimed to keep the Tour's big names on side.
Arguably one of the biggest to leave the PGA Tour though was Smith who, despite McIlroy's best efforts, was unable to be swayed by the Northern Irishman's rallying call against LIV Golf.
Both Smith and McIlroy battled it out for the Claret Jug at the home of golf in July, with the Australian prevailing thanks to a remarkable eight-under-par 66 in a dramatic final round. Four months on from his maiden major win, Smith opened up on his rivalry with the world No. 1 at St Andrews.
As a result he revealed McIlroy congratulated him on his win, but also made one final attempt to ask Smith to remain loyal to the PGA Tour. Detailing their conversation, the Open champion told the Sydney Morning Herald : "I’ve always had respect for Rory and I’ve liked what he says on the golf course.
“He said, ‘congrats’. There were maybe a couple of little jabs in there. He was happy I played well and it was a good tournament. Then we talked about the PGA Tour and LIV. There was a bunch of stuff he wanted me to know before I made my decision.
"I wouldn’t say he tried to directly talk me out of it, but he definitely wanted me to stay.” Smith himself was questioned just moments after his Open win on whether he would be joining up with Greg Norman and co, and the Australian was quick to shoot the claim down before his move was confirmed soon after.
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Revealing whether he had made a decision prior to his St Andrews win, he said: "I was definitely leaning one way, but it wasn’t signed on paper. There was still so much stuff to do, and so much to think about." Like many others, Smith landed plenty of criticism following his controversial switch.
Adding that he was more than an aware an onslaught was coming his way, he went on: "It felt like I didn’t sleep for a few months. I was constantly thinking, ‘what will other people think?’ That was a really big factor for me. I feel like I do most things by the book and to be one to step away... was really tough for me.”
