Australian golf officials are bracing for the potential collapse of LIV Golf, which could leave Cameron Smith reconsidering his future with the Saudi-backed tour. Gavin Kirkman, chief executive of the PGA of Australia, said the 32-year-old former Open champion 'may be rethinking' his decision to stay with LIV after Saudi investors withdrew funding.
Smith, who joined LIV in 2022 for a reported $100 million deal, has missed the cut at his past six majors. Despite two eighth-place finishes on LIV this year, his career trajectory is uncertain. Kirkman noted that Smith is 'too young to retire' and will discuss his options with management in the coming weeks.
The potential demise of LIV has broader implications for Australian golf. The South Australian government is spending $45 million to upgrade a course scheduled to host a LIV event from 2028, while Golf Australia's junior program is sponsored by Smith's LIV team Ripper GC. Kirkman called on golf's global ecosystem to 'come together' to ensure top players like Smith, Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie, and Lucas Herbert can continue competing.
LIV has reportedly burned through more than $5 billion, and any salvaged operation is unlikely to resemble its original disruptive model. Meanwhile, South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas said LIV CEO Scott O'Neil assured him Adelaide will host a tournament next year, as part of a deal running until 2031.
