As the men’s majors season kicks off next week, critics and fans wonder whether a LIV golfer will get to wear the coveted green jacket. Cameron Smith, one of the 18 LIV golfers competing at the Masters, has now hit back at the critics.
The reigning British Open champion’s decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf last year made waves in the golf community. He has rubbished claims that he does not play enough “real golf” to perform well at the upcoming Masters.
Most fans have now picked a side in the chaos, and it does not favor Smith.
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Fans react as Cameron Smith bites back at critics
The LIV golf format has come under criticism for having a 48-man field and no cut in 54-hole events. Per critics, LIV Golf pales compared to the PGA Tour, where play is over 72-holes with a 36-hole cut. Last year’s Open champion, Smith, has now termed critics’ claims as “BS.” Smith will be vying for the green jacket after three top-fives and one top-10 in his last five Masters outings.
After Smith took a swipe at his critics, fans reacted to his comments. Some fans believe that the criticism directed at LIV golfers is completely valid.
According to one fan, Smith’s claim that LIV golfers are playing against elite fields is “completely disingenuous.” Meanwhile, another fan chimed in saying that LIV players are not “talented enough to compete well in the majors” anymore.
Cam is really good and obviously has a chance next week. But for him to talk like the LIV guys have been playing against elite fields, under immense pressure like the top of the Tour has is just completely disingenuous. Only question is, will it matter?
— M. Byson (@iamthebyson) March 30, 2023
They don't play real golf anymore. But some of them are still talented enough to compete well in the majors
— John (@Johnjenkins309) March 30, 2023
The LIV guys are playing awful at the moment. If one is in the top 10 that'd be a win
— Carl Reagle (@reagle_c) March 30, 2023
One fan even went a step ahead and termed the plays as “awful.” “The LIV guys are playing awful at the moment. If one is in the top 10 that’d be a win,” said one frustrated fan.
We don’t question these guys’ ability to play golf. We just wish they still did it in a place where we could: A. Watch it. And B. Where it actually matters how you play.
— Jason Johnstone (@JasonRJohnstone) March 30, 2023
A lot of them are just lucky they’re still in the field
— Ryan Andrade (@Ku_Bball_Fan) March 30, 2023
Smith is one of the 18 LIV golfers who will appear at the Masters next week. Other prominent LIV golfers who will be competing include Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Smith hoping for a LIV golfer to emerge victorious
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The Aussie golfer is hoping for a LIV player to clinch one of the four men’s Majors this year. “Obviously first and foremost for me, I’m trying to go there and play the best golf I can. (But) 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,” Smith told Golf Digest.
“I think it is really important for us (LIV players) to go there and really show a high standard of golf, which we know we’re all capable of. Most of us will get four cracks at it this year(in the Majors), and hopefully we can get a win out of it,” added Smith.
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With the Masters starting on Thursday April 6, who will you be rooting for to win the event? Let us know in the comments below!
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