Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
LIV Tour commissioner Greg Norman is reportedly targeting freshly-minted Open champion Cameron Smith and former Masters winner Adam Scott to headline an all-Australian team on the Saudi-backed rebel tour.
English newspaper The Telegraph is reporting that Norman is pursuing his countrymen as part of a fresh attack on the PGA Tour that could see as many as six high-profile players switch camps in coming months.
Smith bristled at questions over his future as he celebrated his remarkable win at St Andrews, but rumours persist that he may be about to pledge his future to the rebel tour.
Former PGA Tour pro turned radio host Colt Knost claimed on social media that Smith had been offered $90 million to join the LIV Tour.
To put that in perspective. Smith is yet to crack $25 million in career earnings despite being a multiple winner on the US PGA Tour.
His latest win was his most prestigious but it was soured afterwards as Smith became the latest professional to be quizzed over his future amid links with the Norman-led LIV Tour.
Smith would be arguably the most significant signing yet given he is coming off a major win which moved him to No.2 in the world, behind only American Scottie Scheffler.
Reports out of England also suggest Marc Leishman is being targeted by the LIV Tour as Norman ups his assault on the establishment by pursuing the cream of his countrymen.
The report also suggested Smith could make a decision within days, which would potentially leave him ineligible to play for the international team at the Presidents Cup, to be played in September.
However, should he, Scott and Leishman opt to switch camps and join the Norman-led tour, it could have ramifications for their ability to return to Australia later in the year to play in the Open and PGA.
Both events are co-sanctioned with the DB World Tour, which has instigated sanctions against players who have elected to jump ship.
Some of those players have threatened legal action in response but that only drew condemnation from DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley earlier this month.
“There has been a leak to the media of a letter we received on behalf of a number of LIV Golf players which contains so many inaccuracies that it cannot remain unchallenged,” Pelley wrote.
“Before joining LIV Golf, players knew there would be consequences if they chose money over competition.
“Many of them at the time understood and accepted that. Indeed, as one player named in the letter said in a media interview earlier this year; ‘If they ban me, they ban me.’
“It is not credible that some are now surprised with the actions we have taken.”
Originally published as Golf news: Greg Norman eyes Cam Smith, Adam Scott to join rebel Saudi-backed LIV tour
Join the conversation (1 comments)
