Earlier than his first main as a LIV participant, the 2023 Masters, Smith spoke concerning the breakaway tour and admitted: “I will be the primary one to say, the fields aren’t as sturdy.”
LIV have strengthened since these early days. Certainly, one in every of their gamers, Spain’s David Puig, was a superb winner in Brisbane final Sunday.
However again at Augusta two years in the past, Smith additionally spoke concerning the significance of LIV members competing properly at majors and a pair duly delivered. The next month Brooks Koepka gained the US PGA Championship.
Then in June 2024 Bryson DeChambeau broke McIlroy’s coronary heart by successful the US Open. However it’s value noting that each of these Individuals are uncommon characters.
Koepka in his pomp all the time produced his finest stuff within the majors whereas barely seeming to care a jot about week-in week-out occasions on the PGA Tour.
And DeChambeau is so distinctive in all he does. He’s removed from a dependable case examine when looking for traits.
Smith’s decline – and the very fact Jon Rahm has not completed increased than seventh in any main since switching to LIV in 2024 – present arguably extra compelling clues.
Rahm has failed so as to add to eight main high fives, together with two wins, accrued earlier than leaving the PGA Tour. And though he gained LIV’s particular person standings this yr, the Spaniard didn’t land a single match victory.
He was a robust advocate for LIV’s transfer to 72-hole tournaments from subsequent yr. And whereas the swap could assist with the league’s quest for official rating factors, it carries extra significance than that.
The longer format means the higher golfers usually tend to prosper and prepares them higher for the calls for of the majors. Smith has not had an honest exhibiting at that degree since ending tied sixth on the 2024 Masters.
One other Aussie, Min Woo Lee, final month made clear that regardless of rumours he’s not about to maneuver to LIV.
The Perth star cited his need to stay on this planet’s high 50 to protect Masters standing, however he additionally noticed Smith’s decline.
“Cam was among the finest gamers on this planet earlier than he went to LIV and I hope he can discover a stride,” Lee mentioned.
“Nice golfers, over time, if there’s extra holes, they’re most likely going to return out on high. So hopefully we will see some good golf out of him.”
This week at his residence Open on Melbourne’s elegant sandbelt can be a terrific place for Smith to start out.
He stays a preferred determine, however badly wants one thing greater than a cool quantity plate to remind him of previous glories.
