“Want to show people that we belong” – Cam Smith defends LIV Golfers amidst harsh critic claims ahead of Masters

Cameron Smith sets out to prove LIV golfers' worth at the Masters.

“Want to show people that we belong” – Cam Smith defends LIV Golfers amidst harsh critic claims ahead of Masters

Cameron Smith ( Image via Golf Digest )

As the golf world gears up for the 2023 Masters Tournament, one topic that has been making headlines is the participation of LIV golfers. LIV, or the “League of Independent Golfers,” is a new professional golf tour that launched in 2022. Eighteen players who left the PGA Tour to join LIV have been given invitations to compete at Augusta, including Cameron Smith.

Despite his success on the PGA Tour, which includes three wins and a runner-up finish at the 2021 Masters, Smith made the move to LIV shortly after winning the 2022 Open Championship. This decision raised eyebrows among some golf fans and analysts, who have criticized LIV’s format and the number of tournaments it will play this year.

However, Smith has pushed back against these critics, calling their claims “BS.” In an interview with Golf Digest, he said that the 54-hole, no-cut tournaments played on the LIV are “harder than playing four rounds on the PGA Tour.” He also pointed out that LIV’s schedule includes major championships, which offer the opportunity to compete for “lifetime exemptions” and “massive paydays.”

Cameron Smith is focused on the task at hand as he prepares for his seventh appearance at the Masters. Despite the chatter surrounding LIV and its golfers, he is determined to play his best golf and show that the criticism is unfounded.

“Obviously, first and foremost for me, I’m trying to go there and play the best golf I can,” Smith told reporters on Thursday, as reported by ESPN. “I think it is important for us to go there, really show a high standard of golf, which we know we’re all capable of.”

Related: The Masters 2023: Dates, Schedule, and Where to Watch

The challenges and opportunities of LIV Golf

LIV Golf
LIV Golf ( Image via Golf Digest )

While some golf fans and analysts may be skeptical of LIV, there are certainly advantages to playing on the new tour. For one, LIV offers greater flexibility and control for its players, who are able to choose which tournaments they play in and negotiate their own sponsorship deals.

However, there are also challenges that come with being part of a startup tour. LIV’s tournaments may not have the same level of prestige or media attention as those on the PGA Tour, and players may have to work harder to attract sponsors and build their brands. Additionally, there are concerns about the sustainability of LIV, which is still in its early stages and has yet to prove itself as a viable alternative to the established tours.

In the end, whether LIV succeeds or fails will depend on the quality of golf it produces and the support it receives from fans, sponsors, and players. For now, though, the focus is on the Masters and the opportunity for LIV golfers like Cameron Smith to compete on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

Cameron Smith’s decision to join LIV has been a controversial topic in the golf world, but he remains steadfast in his belief that the new tour offers a unique and challenging experience for its players. As he prepares to tee it up at the Masters, he is using the criticism as motivation to prove himself on the course.

Smith is not the only LIV golfer competing at Augusta this year, but he is one of the most high-profile. He sees the major championships as an opportunity for LIV golfers to prove themselves on the biggest stage.

“Most of us will get four cracks at it this year [in the majors], and hopefully we get maybe a win out of it,” he said. “Maybe we just show a really hearty effort. I think, for us, internally, there’s a lot of chatter going around about ‘these guys don’t play real golf anymore.’ And I think it’s B.S. to be honest. And we just want to show people that.”

Whether or not LIV can carve out a lasting niche in the world of professional golf remains to be seen, but for now, the focus is on the competition and the pursuit of one of the most coveted prizes in the sport.

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