19th Hole

Cam Smith heckled over LIV Golf links during first FedEx Cup Playoff event

Published

2 years ago

Aug 15, 2022

Amidst mass speculation that he will soon sign for the LIV Golf series, earlier this week Cameron Smith insisted, “My goal here is to win the FedEx Cup Playoffs. That’s all I’m here for.”

Related: Greg Norman delivers swaggering response to Rory McIlroy after recent PGA Tour wins jibe

That has not stopped the recent Open Championship winner being on the receiving end of continuous questioning by reporters, despite fellow Aussie Cameron Percy backing down on his initial claim that Smith and Marc Leishman were ‘gone.’

After a first round 67 at the first of the FedEx play-off events at Sedgefield, Sky Golf presenter Nick Dougherty asked the 28-year-old if he understood why there was so much reporting on the subject.

Related: The Cam Smith, Scottie Scheffler green ‘incident’ in Memphis isn’t what people think it is

As has been his way, Smith continued to bat away the notion that he was on his way after the Playoffs, but accepted why it was big news for the golf reporters.

“That’s just their job – that’s what they’re there to do. They’re there to sell stories, and I’m sure they’ve had a few looks at it the last few days.”

He recognised what may happen in the immediate future, “You know I’m ready to cop some heat … but like I said I’m here to win the FedEx Cup Playoffs – that’s my number one goal and whatever happens after that will come from me.”

The heat continued on the course during his third round of the FedEx St. Jude, with Memphis News’ Mark Giannotto tweeting the reaction of some of the crowd, with the Aussie on the end of some heckling during the opening Playoff event.

The reality of PGA Tour golf right now. Cam Smith, hitting his tee shot on 14, has a pretty large gallery following him. One man says “Let’s go Cam.” Another calls his mullet “pretty.” A third shouts “$100 million man.” Then yet another yells “sellout” loudest of all.

— Mark Giannotto (@mgiannotto) August 13, 2022

Reaction differed between support and distrust, feelings summed up by one reply that read, “If he goes to LIV, it shows $ are his main motivation rather than titles & standing in the game. As an Aussie, it’s disappointing. But let’s not forget, the PGA tour does nothing for golf in countries like Australia. Some effort to develop a world tour may have helped counter LIV.”

However, according to Australian news site nine.com.au the 28-year-old world number two could turn the episode into one where he becomes a hero from the jaws of villainy.

Talking to Sports Sunday, Nine’s regular roundup of world sports, former Aussie cricket captain Mark Taylor suggested Smith could turn this into a force for good for his homeland’s golf programme.

“There’s no doubt there’s a bit of reputational damage at the moment … but I want to go in and bat for him,” Taylor said.

“It’s a lot tougher for the non-Americans with this LIV Golf. As an Australian golfer or a South African golfer, you’ve got to make the big move to the (United) States to become a PGA Tour regular.”

“That’s what Adam Scott has done, that’s what Greg Norman did many years ago, so it’s tougher for those guys to commit full time to the PGA Tour when there’s another option which is also talking about moving events to Australia.”

“If Cameron Smith moves to LIV, yes, there will be some reputational damage, but I think he can make it work for him.”

Seeing the upside to the ‘investment’ into Australian golf, Taylor suggested the player himself takes advantage.

“LIV are already talking about having three tournaments in Australia and the Australian golf tour is nowhere near what it used to be. This influx of money from LIV will be great for Australian golf. I’d love to see Cameron Smith buy into it.”

“If I was his manager, I’d say, ‘Well if you’re going to sign up for this amount of money, put 10-20 per cent of it into Australian golf and buy in and get Australian golf back to where it used to be.”

“If he does that, it’ll be a win for him and a win for Australian golf. I think eventually LIV, the PGA, they’ll get back together in some form or another and I think it’ll be a win-win for him and Australian golf.”

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

Published

9 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

;;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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19th Hole

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

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

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

Related: Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career

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.

Tiger Woods sits down with Carson Daly to talk about golf, growing up in Southern California, his father and his new apparel line, Sun Day Red. pic.twitter.com/2TFbSNxzxq

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 1, 2024

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19th Hole

Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

While speaking with KW Golf, golf legend Gary Player said that he believes swing coaches ruined the career of Tiger Woods.

“The US Open at Pebble Beach, he won by 15 shots. You know what that’s like? It’s like running the 100 meters in seven seconds. The next week, he’s having a lesson from a man who, I don’t think, if he played in the Masters, could break 80.”

“And then he goes to another guy who couldn’t probably break 85 in the Masters with the pressure, or the British Open or the PGA on the final day. And he’s having lessons from them.”

“Why did Tiger do that? He was so good, but I understand he wanted to get better,” Player went on. “If he had just gone along and never changed, he would have won at least 22.. He would’ve gone down as the greatest athlete the world has ever seen.”

In 2008, Woods had won 14 majors and was 33 years old. It would take him eleven years to win his 15th at the 2019 Masters.

In addition to the swing coach issue, there are many other issues throughout the career of Woods that golf fans will look back on and wonder “what if.”