Cameron Smith, 29, opted to switch to the controversial LIV Tour to spend more time at home in Australia.
And for the money.
– I won’t ignore it or say it wasn’t a cause, says Golf Digest’s biggest Saudi-funded tour poster.
Cameron Smith is the latest golf star to leave the PGA Tour.
Yesterday, the world number two and newly crowned The Open champion, along with five others, were introduced on the LIV Tour.
According to the information, Smith receives 1.5 billion Swedish kronor to join the Saudi-funded round.
– Money was definitely a factor. I wouldn’t ignore it or say it’s not a reason. It was clearly a business decision and an offer I couldn’t turn down, he told Golf Digest.
‘It was tough’
Smith, who is Australian, moved to the United States to play on the PGA Tour seven years ago and has lived there ever since.
The move to North America caused Smith to miss several major events in his home country of Australia.
Not being able to attend friends’ weddings and birthday parties and not being able to watch rugby matches with my friends was hard.
– The biggest reason to change tours now is the LIV tour schedule. Being able to spend more time back home in Australia and getting that part of my life back was really attractive.
The LIV round is funded by the Saudi Government Investment Fund.
All players who choose to switch to the LIV Tour of the PGA Tour will be suspended.
Swede Henrik Stenson also lost his honorary role as Ryder Cup captain when he chose to join the LIV Tour.