Cameron Smith’s extraordinary final round to become the first Australian since Greg Norman to win The Open championship threatens to be overshadowed as reports mount that he is about to defect to his compatriot’s Saudi-backed LIV golf series.

In the news conference following a back nine holes described as possibly the finest in the history of major championships, Smith refused to rule out joining the rebel series that has already signed up 24 players, some with eye-watering sums just to turn up.