Golf news: Adam Scott weighs in on LIV Golf and his relationship with Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman

One of Australia’s top golfers insists the heavyweight defection of Cameron Smith to LIV Golf has not created a divide and says the Saudi-backed tour is not “pure evil” for golf.

Adam Scott insists his relationship with Cameron Smith remains strong and says he harbours no ill-will towards Greg Norman over the two-time major winner’s decision to front the LIV Tour rebellion that has shaken up the sport.

Scott held a teleconference with Australian media on Friday to announce his plans to return to home later in the year to compete at the PGA and Open tournaments, but talk invariably turned to the Saudi-backed LIV Tour which is being fronted by Norman and boasts Smith as its marquee name.

Scott opted to stay loyal with the PGA Tour but insisted during an expansive interview that he didn’t see LIV as “pure evil for the game of golf”.

He also revealed his relationship with Norman, which stretches back to his time as an amateur, had been unchanged by the LIV developments, although the pair have spoken infrequently in recent years.

”I spoke to him at the end of last year and I haven‘t spoken to him this year but that is not unusual because I have probably only spoken to him once a year for the last two years anyway.” Scott said.

Adam Scott says he doesn’t consider LIV Golf to be “pure evil”.

“He has been very busy and I also feel like I have had an incredibly busy year and it is a busy time in my life generally. As we are not on the same tour so to speak at the moment, our paths are not crossing.

“My relationship with him remains unchanged. I have probably remained less emotional than most on the PGA Tour to the whole thing. I am not surprised that Greg is involved in this – he has been pushing and almost achieving this in the past.

“So this is something he truly believes in and I don’t begrudge him for going for it one bit at all. Sure, it has rocked the waters of golf, which has never really happened in years before.

“I am still optimistic people’s intent is still good and we will come to a better place moving forward.”

LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman.

As for his relationship with Smith, who was reportedly paid as much as $140 million to switch camps, Scott said the pair – as well as Marc Leishman – are still tight.

“I spoke with Cam a fair bit throughout this year,” Scott said.

“The three of us are fairly close I would say and we have all shared our thoughts on it. I completely understand anybody doing it.

“They have been offered an opportunity and it suits them. More power to them. I really want it to work out for them. They may or may not be taking a risk.

“I am happy for both of them that they have been given an opportunity that suits them and they are going for it.

“Nothing has changed as far as my friendships with those guys. As far as Cam and Leish recruiting me, they’ve got plenty of cash now so they’re more than welcome to make me an offer.”

Scott revealed he stayed loyal to the PGA Tour in part because of his uncertain status around the majors and his desire to add to his lone US Masters win.

LIV golf is yet to receive world rankings points, which holds large sway when it comes to winning a place in fields for the majors. He also questioned whether the state of relationships between the two tours were conducive to peace talks taking place.

Greg Norman and Cameron Smith.

Rory McIlroy, one of the most outspoken critics for the LIV Tour and Norman, has warned that the sport Is ripping itself apart and the parties need to come together for everyone’s sake.

Scott would like to see that as well although he concedes the current level of animosity between the warring tours makes it unlikely.

“I don’t necessarily see LIV as pure evil for the game of golf,” Scott said.

“Hopefully we can get beyond people have shots at each other. At the moment there are lawsuits. Coming together and hashing it out sounds good but it sounds like at least what you hear in media, there is a bit of animosity between the two.

“I don’t know how soon the coming together talks will happen. I believe the PGA Tour has to do what its best for their product and LIV is going to do what is best for their product.

“I don’t have a problem with either of them.”

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