Cameron Smith walks out of press conference amid questions of LIV Golf tour defection

Kieran Francis

Cameron Smith walks out of press conference amid questions of LIV Golf tour defection image

Cameron Smith has walked out of press conference after being repeatedly asked about his reported defection to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.

The Telegraph Sport has reported the Open Championship winner will join LIV in a deal worth $100 million-plus, while fellow Australian golfer Cameron Percy has also said Smith would be leaving the PGA Tour.

During a press conference for the FedExCup Playoffs, Smith refused to talk about any move to LIV Golf, but also didn't deny that he would switch over in the future.

"You know, my goal here is to win the FedExCup Playoffs. That’s all I’m here for,” Smith said.

"If there’s something I need to say regarding the PGA Tour or LIV, it’ll come from Cameron Smith, not Cameron Percy.

"I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys need to know anything, it’ll be said by me."

Later on when Smith was asked directly about reports relating to LIV Golf, the Australian gave no comment, said 'thanks' and walked out of the press conference before its conclusion.

In previous public comments, Smith has also not denied he would be joining LIV Golf.

"I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that?’’ Smith said at St. Andrews last month. 

Also at the Open, Smith gave the stock-standard answer when he was pressed further on LIV.

"I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff, I’m here to win golf tournaments," he said.

Smith has had an extraordinary 2022 season where he won the recent Open Championship, clinched the Players Championship back in March, while also securing his second top-three finish in the Masters.

As LIV Golf Boston occurs after the FedEx Cup Playoffs from Aug. 11 to Aug. 28, Smith will still be eligible to participate in the three-event playoff if he defects to LIV.

The Australian would be a big get for the breakout league, as he enters second in the FedEx Cup standings behind Scottie Scheffler.

LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are still engaged in golf's own version of a Civil War, with several LIV players suing the tour for its refusal to allow LIV players to participate in PGA Tour events.

The group, led by Phil Mickelson, has several players within it seeking exemptions to play in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.