Before Greg Norman was the CEO of LIV Golf, more than a decade ago, he was one of the best and most successful Australian golfers in the world. He had won more than 80 times around the globe, including two majors and 20 titles on the PGA Tour. However, despite him representing the Land Down Under and becoming a part of the Sports Australia Hall of Fame, fellow Aussie golfer, Mark Hensby criticized the LIV Golf head in 2005 for not helping the PGA Tour of Australasia enough. Now, 19 years later, Norman’s signed golfer has done exactly the opposite of what Norman was accused of not doing.

The 2022 Open Championship winner, Cameron Smith, did not take a break after the 2024 LIV Golf season ended. Instead, the 31-year-old took this off-season time to play on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Although he said that he didn’t see it as his duty, it was rather a nice thing to do. In the past three weeks, Smith has participated in three Australian events, the Queensland PGA Championship, the New South Wales Open, and the Australian PGA Championship. The LIV Golf pro was positioned T3, T2, and 2nd in the three tournaments, respectively.

Coincidentally, at the Australian PGA Championship, Smith lost only by two strokes that too to the golfer who was once an awardee of his scholarship. Yes, Elvis Smylie got the Cameron Smith Scholarship in 2019 and then defeated his idol at the Royal Queensland Golf Club. Quite fascinating, to say the least. After the victory, Smylie’s mother, Liz Smylie, a former WTA star, gave credit to Smith for supporting the junior golfers in Australia. She posted on X and said, “Cam has always been committed to supporting golf in 🇦🇺 We’re very lucky to have him want to play here and love everything about Australia 💚💛.” 

Cameron Smith just playing on the local tour has been a huge event for Australian golfers and fans, as he attracted many to follow him and create buzz around the events, which would rarely have them. And although Smith may get the credit for it all, Greg Norman might have a little part in it too.

Smith could only play the Aussie events because of Greg Norman

In 2022, when LIV Golf came out of nowhere and snatched golfers away from the PGA Tour, as we all know, the golf world was divided into two and Greg Norman received intense backlash. Despite this, the breakaway circuit became a savior for many pros who signed the lucrative deal, likely for Cameron Smith as well. When the 31-year-old pro was on the PGA Tour, he rarely got the time to play on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

During his run on the local tour this season, he said, “I’ve always wanted to play [more in Australia], but just really didn’t have the time. Whereas now I feel like I’ve got a little bit more time, particularly finishing earlier,” indicating that joining LIV Golf allowed him to prioritize Australian golf. Even though Norman was misunderstood that he didn’t take many initiatives to grow the Aussie golf scene, by signing Smith, he did help a little.

Before LIV Golf became a reality, Norman said, “I want to have the ability in the very near future to give the opportunity to the Australian people because it’s my homeland. It’s golf. Aussies love golf.” And he did exactly that by introducing LIV Golf Adelaide and gave the Aussie fans to watch some of the stars for three years straight. Even though Cam Smith has taken the baton to grow Australian golf, no one can disregard what Greg Norman has done for his homeland and continues to do so.