Cameron Smith (30, Australia), who transferred to LIV Golf last year, insisted that LIV golf players should win the Masters.
“I want to see LIV golf players wearing green jackets this week,” said Smith at the official press conference for the Masters Tournament, the first major tournament of the men’s golf season held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA on the 4th (Korean time).
Smith said this because he wanted to silence critics who pointed out that LIV golf was not properly prepared for major tournaments as it was played with 54 holes and that the composition of players was weaker than that of the PGA Tour. The reason why LIV Golf, launched last year, was criticized was because it was played as a 54-hole game rather than a regular 72-hole game.
“I’ve heard so many times that LIV Golf isn’t ‘real golf,’” Smith said. But we also play serious golf and compete fiercely.”
LIV golfers participating in the Masters include 4-time major championship champion Brooks Koepka (USA) and 6-time champion Phil Mickelson (USA). Six winners of the Masters, including Mickelson, will participate, and a total of 18 qualified LIV golf players will step on the Masters stage. In response, Smith added, “There are many good players who have won prestigious tournaments and major tournaments in LIV Golf.” 메이저사이트
Smith’s recent trend is not good. In the three LIV golf leagues played this season, he was knocked out of the top 20 twice. Last February, he did not pass the cut when he participated in the Asian Tour Saudi International, which was a 72-hole tournament.
Last year Smith had a breakthrough year, rising to No. 2 in the world rankings and reaching the top of his fifth major, The Players Championship and Major Open Championship before moving to LIV Golf. But lately, his drivers have deteriorated, his irons aren’t sharp, and his putters are cold. It is said that the reason for his poor performance recently is that he took a long break at home in his home country of Australia during the off-season. This is why he cannot avoid criticism that he has become complacent due to a tour with guaranteed huge prize money and weakened competitiveness.
“I’m not playing well right now, but I’m trying to fix it,” said Smith. He is ready to compete in the competition,” he said with strength. Smith has had three top-five finishes at the Masters in the past five years.