Just like every other sport, golf has its flagship events. The four major championships serve as golf’s way of separating the elite from the best. And up till now, it has worked quite successfully. But there is one other event that gains just as much prestige on the PGA Tour: the Players Championship, which begins this week. Along with the event’s many unpopular opinions, others have also come to light. And one such view involving a LIV Golf defector has the golf world running berserk!
Golf fans defend the PGA Tour’s Players Championship event
For years now, the Players Championship has been seen as the fifth most important golf event in the world. Last year, Cameron Smith won the event, beating his namesake, Cameron Young, by a stroke to win his last Tour event before defecting over to the other side. And for that reason, the Australian golf great won’t be there to defend his title this week. And many are upset about that.
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Flushing it, recently took to Twitter to point out that although the event has been called the “5th major,” it is incomparable since all the majors have now allowed the LIV golfers to play. “They value putting on the best competition for the fans.”
“The Players hasn’t even invited the defending champ.” But the fans didn’t share his opinion.
Why would they when he isn't a member of the PGA anymore? Makes zero sense! Maybe they'll invite past champions who've retired too eh?
— Northern Gunner (@BigSiG87) March 6, 2023
Flushing it should be what you do with this tweet.
— Chris (@Chris80611077) March 7, 2023
Some body call the Whaaaa-mbulance!!!
— Angry Monkey Feet (@AngryMonkeyFee1) March 6, 2023
They suggested that his tweet made no sense because the Players Championship was, in fact, a Tour event. And since the defectors had been banned from competing in its events, it made sense that Smith wasn’t on the field in Florida.
It’s a PGA event. Not sure what the issue is.
Liv can just advertise one of their exhibition matches as a 5th major and will mean about the same— Tilt (@Alverdonk) March 6, 2023
The players is a PGA event, hence LIV guys not playing. It’s really a very simple concept.
— Dustin Klabunde (@DustinKlabunde2) March 6, 2023
The players is part of the PGAT. The majors are not. They operate separately.
— Dan Lanning (@Danley007) March 6, 2023
Many fans even suggested that the one-time major winner was well aware of what he was getting into when he signed with the Breakaway Tour.
They added that he had, despite the consequences, chosen to jump ship.
If only, if only
If only Cam Smith knew the consequences of joining LIV
If only.
— GP Burdell (@GeoPBurdell) March 6, 2023
Cam shouldn’t have left, he knew the consequences, it’s obviously not as important to him as it is to you.
— Terry Parsons (@terryparsons26) March 6, 2023
It’s too bad. Wish he could play. He made a choice to not be eligible tho.
— Bill Skorheim (@BillyBarroo03) March 6, 2023
Fans also chimed in, that it would have been ridiculous if Smith had been allowed to compete in the event. After all, he now belonged to the Tour’s biggest rivals. To them, it was just pure logic!
The defending champ walked out on the tour knowing the consequences. Tell me, is liv going to open up their season finale?
— Chris Browning (@chrisbrowningcr) March 6, 2023
Crazy how the pga tour isn’t in the business of propping up rival start ups ain’t it?
— Non-Essential ⛳️ (@Chris_W_Evans) March 6, 2023
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Would you invite an employee of a rival business to your flagship event?
— K Stuerenberg (@330yard_bomber) March 7, 2023
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Do you think the 6-time PGA Tour winner should have been given a pass to compete in the ever-prestigious event? Or do you agree with the tour’s decision? Let us know in the comments below.
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