What’s next in golf’s civil war? Cameron Smith and his LIV teammates prepare to head to Australia
The dramatic final day at the Masters didn’t prove a winner for the PGA or for LIV golf - despite the brilliant drama. It just showed who the real losers are in the sport’s ugly war.
Cameron Smith can’t wait to get home. With any luck, he’ll squeeze in a Brisbane Broncos game.
The good news is they are playing on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon and we’re thinking that tickets shouldn’t be too hard to come by for Smith, a rabid Broncos supporter.
He should be good. Surely someone will look after him. Once the footy is out the way, Smith can get back to what really counts. The LIV event in Adelaide is a sellout.
People are clamouring for tickets, which rarely happens where LIV is concerned. In Adelaide, they sold so many tickets they had to manufacture a way to put more on sale and Smith is the star attraction, although he could have some competition given the way the Masters panned out.
LIV golfers were front and centre at Augusta National. Phil Mickelson wound back the clock with a 65 in the final round, finishing in a share of second place.
Mickelson warned everyone he was ready to tear it up. He was good to his word. No-one scored more birdies on Sunday than the 52-year-old.
Brooks Koepka was in a share of second with Mickelson, having led until the final day. Patrick Reed was in a share of fourth after a withering late run.
Reed has history with Australia. Four years ago he came with the American Presidents Cup team and was heckled by fans.
His caddie got into an altercation with one of them and was suspended for the next day’s play. He swears he is looking forward to coming back but we’re not sure we believe him.
As for Smith, we know he is telling the truth. The Queenslander loves getting home and he has his week planned out already, including a potential trip to the footy.
“Just look forward to getting back to Australia,” Smith said.
“Heading back there Tuesday, spend four or five days in Brissie. I wouldn’t mind getting to a Broncos game probably.
“Lots of work - wasn’t really happy with how this week went. It makes you work harder and hopefully there is some good stuff to come.”
Smith had a tough old tournament at the Masters. He finished at four over, 16 shots behind winner Jon Rahm.
He saved his worst for the last day as he shot a 75, including a double bogey at the par three 6th where he chipped from the back of the green off the front.
It was very unlike Smith, whose short game is regarded as one of the best in world golf. He is right when he says there are things to work on.
That won’t stop expectations rising when he touches down on home soil. LIV will want him to perform as well, although Masters week has largely laid to rest the suggestion that the Saudi-backed tour is a retirement home for mainly washed-up golfers who are chasing easy money.
The LIV guys were among the best performers, only reinforcing how golf on both sides of the civil war has been diluted by the split in the ranks.
For the time being, the spit will continue and Australia is next on the radar for LIV.
“Yeah, we’re excited to go down there,” Mickelson said.
“There’s a lot of anticipation and we’re looking forward to that. At the end of this week, I’m going to meet with some of my teammates, and we’re going to practice together before we head on a plane and get down there.
“I’m looking forward to that. I feel like this is a great week to give me a boost, give me some confidence and give me some momentum to start playing and competing at a high level with my teammates.
“I’m really looking forward to that, too. Having a mixture of this style of golf, old, traditional historical majors, and then have something a little bit different, a different energy, vibe, it’s been great for me.
“I love the variety.”
Smith loves it too, particularly the part that allows him to spend time at home. He is about to get that chance again.
“I think it has been a great week,” Smith said.
“It has been good to see some old faces. It is good to see some of those boys playing well - I wish it was me.”
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