Open champion Cameron Smith’s fury at LIV Golf question, but Aussie tipped to join rebel tour
- Reports suggest Smith and Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama are among those prepared to join Saudi-baked series
- Henrik Stenson to be stripped of Ryder Cup captaincy over his links to Greg Norman venture
Newly crowned Open champion Cameron Smith reacted angrily when asked if he was on the verge of joining the highly lucrative LIV Golf Invitational Series moments after winning at St Andrews, but reports suggest the Australian is among many players who are about to jump ship.
“I just won the British Open and you are asking about that?” Smith told reporters. “That is not that good. My team around me worry about that stuff. I am here to win golf tournaments.”
Sky Sports also reported that Henrik Stenson will be axed as Ryder Cup captain as he too is expected to join the highly controversial breakaway series that is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Critics say the new series amounts to blatant ‘sportswashing’ by a nation trying to improve its reputation in light of its history of human rights abuses.
LIV players were barred from conducting news conferences at St Andrews in the days leading up to this week’s Open Championship, while Greg Norman, the LIV Golf CEO, was asked not to attend the ceremonial festivities.
The rebel series’ most prominent player, Phil Mickelson, was also requested not to attend the champions’ dinner.
