19th Hole

Gary Player blasts Cam Smith’s LIV move and claims another major champ ‘had no money, so he had to go’

Published

2 years ago

Aug 31, 2022

Matt Vincenzi

There have been plenty of “bombshell” signings for LIV Golf since it’s inception.

Related: DP World Tour reveals restrictions for LIV players at upcoming BMW PGA Championship

Phil Mickelson is an all-time great who was the initial signature signing for the Saudi-backed Series. Dustin Johnson is arguably a top-30 golfer of all time and Bryson DeChambeau, whether you love him or hate him, is a superstar in the prime of his career. Patrick Reed is a major champion and mercurial figure in the game who golf fans love to root against.

Related: Gary Player defends LIV players saying ‘they need the money’

However, there seemingly hasn’t been a PGA TOUR departure that’s stung more for PGA TOUR fans than the number two ranked player in the world Cameron Smith.

With his down-to-earth approach to life and his stone cold killer mentality on the golf course, even the most dismissive of PGA TOUR fans have had to admit how big the loss of Smith will be felt.

Gary Player, who has been supportive of some other players who’ve chosen to join LIV Golf, was critical of Smith’s decision to take the money and run.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, the South African said:

“I was absolutely shocked to hear Cameron Smith [had joined LIV Golf]. Here’s a young man that I really thought was going to be a superstar. Now, what sort of future does he have? Will he be allowed to play in Majors in the future? Will he be able to realize this great dream of being a champion? I don’t know.”

Player, who’s won nine major championships, has opined that going to LIV is a good move for some but a mistake for others.

The South African defended former Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson in his decision to abandon the European team to join LIV when many others criticized him harshly.

“I don’t blame Stenson for going. He had no money, so he had to go. This superstar [Cam Smith], I think his advisors have given him the wrong advice. I don’t blame players for going on the LIV Tour. Most of the players can’t win on the regular Tour anymore. The PGA Tour will always be the major Tour.”

The massive sums of guaranteed money have been too tempting for many to pass on, but Player believes for the top-tier players who can still win at an elite level, the decision to stay on the PGA TOUR is an easy one.

The 86-year-old also said that if he had been faced with the opportunity to join something like LIV Golf while he was in his prime, he would decline.

“I’ve played golf all my life and I wouldn’t take a billion dollars for my nine Majors on both Tours,” he said. “The only man to win the Grand Slam on both Tours and 165 tournaments. I worked hard. I had a desire. I traveled the world, it was an education. I met wonderful people. How can you ever be a champion playing 54 holes with no cut?”

Time will tell if Cameron Smith will ever be able to win major championships again after his decision, but there’s no denying that making the jump to LIV was a massive gamble.

‘That looks brutal’ – First photo of Tiger Woods’ leg without sleeve shows depth of injury

Published

23 hours ago

Jul 23, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

It’s been a struggle of late for Tiger Woods on the golf course. The 15-time major champion has only teed it up five times in 2024, finishing 60th in The Masters and missing the cut in the other three majors. He also played in the Genesis Invitational and was forced to withdraw.

Woods has many ailments, but none as debilitating as his surgically repaired leg. Since his car accident three years ago, the 48-year-old has rarely been seen without wearing a leg sleeve. However, on Monday, a fan was able to take a photograph of Woods’ leg without the sleeve.

@blakebunkersgolf IG

??? #LOOK: A photo has emerged of Tiger Woods without his leg sleeve @TWlegion

(Via: blakebunkersgolf/IG) pic.twitter.com/ppaGLdXg8X

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 22, 2024

The photo was taken at an event Tiger’s son, Charlie, was playing in by “blakebunkersgolf” on Instagram, and one of the top responses on X towards the photo was simply “That looks brutal.”

Woods has struggled with the lack of reps on the course but hasn’t given any indication as to whether his schedule will look any different come 2025.

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19th Hole

John Daly says this is the best golf course in Scotland…and it’s not St. Andrews

Published

23 hours ago

Jul 23, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

John Daly withdrew at last week’s Open Championship with a knee injury, but the 58-year-old was back on the links this week showcasing one of the most famous golf courses in the world for his fans.

While at Trump Turnberry, John Daly recorded a video of the 18th green.

In the video, the 1995 Open Champion shared his opinion that Turnberry is the best golf course in Scotland, even better than St. Andrews.

?????????? #BEST OF THE BEST — John Daly says Trump Turnberry beats out St Andrews for the title of best golf course in Scotland.

Do you agree?

(Via: @LGlick1) pic.twitter.com/Ya7FIJEfp2

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 22, 2024

“Hey everybody, John Daly here. I’m at Trump Turnberry today. I went out and tried to play a little bit. This place is amazing. It is the best golf course in Scotland, I think. St. Andrews is my baby, but I think I just found my new baby. I’m at the 18th green right here, this thing is unreal.”

Turnberry hosted its first Open Championship in 1977, which was dubbed “The Duel in the Sun” when Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus by a single stroke. The most recent Open the course hosted was 2009, where Watson almost won again, but lost to Stewart Cink in a playoff.

The course is not slated to host any Open Championships in the foreseeable future.

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19th Hole

Popular former champ reveals why the 2025 Open Championship may be his last

Published

2 days ago

Jul 22, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The Open Championship did not disappoint, as both Royal Troon and Xander Schauffele starred in the 152nd edition of the event, with the now two-time major champion pulling away on the back nine.

The Open is a tournament that hosts so many legends of the game, including past champions such as Darren Clarke. After the tournament, Clarke told the Belfast Telegraph that next year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush may be his last.

“Yes, I made the cut here [at Royal Troon], and if I make the cut in Portrush, it will be great and all that sort of stuff, but I’ve got my name on the Jug, and I have my name on the Senior Jug, and I would feel bad taking the spot away from a young kid.

“I was a young kid once, so to take a spot away from a young kid who may fulfil his dream of playing the Championship, sure, I’ve done mine. I don’t know what I will do.”

Clarke fared well at Royal Troon, making the cut and finishing in a tie for 75th.

The Irishman is 55 years of age and is exempt in The Open until age 60 as a result of his 2011 win at Royal St. George’s.

“Royal Portrush, as we all know, is very special,” he added. “The guys all loved it the last time we were there.

“But I’ve been thinking about it quite a lot. I’m 55 now, and I’ll be 56 next year for the Open at Portrush and it may be my last one and thank you very much, that’s enough for me and I can give some young kid an opportunity that I had whenever I was starting off.

“We’ll see, but I am certainly looking forward to being back in Portrush.”