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Major champ urges Cam Smith to turn down reported mammoth offer to join LIV

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Two days after winning the 150th Open Championship, speculation is ramping up as to the potential for Cam Smith to join the LIV Golf Series.

The 28-year-old has the potential to become one of his country’s most decorated golfers, with the green jacket well in reach after being runner-up, third, fifth and 10th in his last five attempts around the hallowed turf.

Now ranked No. 2 in the Official World Golf Rankings, Smith would be the catch of the year for the Greg Norman-led series. Indeed, rumors of an offer of around $100 million to join the Saudi-backed tour is reportedly on the table for the Aussie.

What makes the episode more enthralling was Smith’s response during his winner’s press conference.

When a reporter asked Smith whether he was considering joining the rebel league, the answer was less than convincing:

“I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that? I think that’s … not that good.”

To make matters worse, when pressed to answer if he was in talks with LIV, Smith was very inconclusive:

“I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”

Of course, he’s just won the biggest tournament in the calendar, and on one of the great historic occasions, so he is easy to forgive. However, it hasn’t stopped him from dominating this week’s headlines.

Whilst Smith’s coach, Grant Field, insisted, “The sky is the limit for Cam. I can see more majors in his future if he puts the work in,” fellow Aussie Open winner, Ian Baker-Finch, pleaded with Smith to reject any further advances from the rebels.

The 61-year-old, winner of the Open at Royal Birkdale, said he understood the appeal for both sides, telling the Australian radio station 3AW that:

“I know that they’re talking to him and to many others. I hope he doesn’t (accept) because I think he can leave a great legacy by winning major championships and becoming the best player in the world.”

On the huge money that is reputed to have been offered, the CBS Sports analyst admitted that, “I don’t think he needs the money. I don’t think it’s going to be something he should do. It’s his decision – he’ll be a $100 million guy or more if he did go.”

Baker-Finch didn’t seem convinced by the way Smith answered questions, commenting:

“Does he want to win more majors or does he want the money?” before putting up the case to stay on the main tours.

“I’m hoping that he stays (on the PGA Tour). Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy and a lot of those guys that still compete and play well in majors and want to win majors and want to leave a legacy. They’re the guys I would be following.”

In a more general swipe at the way the LIV program is being advertised, Baker-Finch again hopes for a change in the way younger players look at the series.

“The guys who go join LIV are going to miss out on the grind, what it takes to be a champion, to play in the great tournaments against the great players,” he said.

“It’s hard work. And you’re not going to be a better player by going and playing 54-hole exhibition matches and getting paid 150-grand to finish last.”

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19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

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On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

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A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

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Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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