Cam Smith joined LIV Golf in 2022 (Image: Brian Bishop/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In a stunning revelation, Cameron Smith has opened up about the pivotal moment Greg Norman called him after his historic Open Championship victory at St Andrews to persuade him to join LIV Golf.
Just two years ago, Smith became one of golf’s major names to defect from the PGA Tour to the lucrative LIV ranks on a staggering £80 million deal, following his rise to the summit as the world’s number two and the newly crowned champion at the prestigious Home of Golf.
The Australian has disclosed in an interview with Straight Talk with Mark Bouris: “There was a lot of movement on the Tour at the time, and agents would come up to you,” adding that Norman’s phone call came post-Open victory, with both men sharing good rapport.
Smith has opened up about the pivotal moment Greg Norman called him after his historic Open Championship victory at St Andrews (Image: Getty Images)
“And then I remember it was after The Open, Greg rang me up and we had a really good chat. I spoke to a few really good friends that I knew I could lean on in the space.”
Expressing the weighty decision-making process, Smith said, “Then as a team we just decided to go for it.”
He acknowledged the hefty signing-on fees that came with joining LIV Golf but also admitted other critical reasons behind his decision, including career security which, when confirmed by his confidants, made him take the leap.
Smith recounted, “I spoke to a lot of people,” emphasizing the need for assurance about his professional future above all else.
“I mean like am I going to be able to play golf professionally? It was so fresh at the start, we didn’t know whether it was going to be a year or like it is know, it has been just a dream. That was the biggest question. The second was playing less golf and spending more time in Australia was really important.
“Third was the business decision and it was a pretty big number to knock down. I get to play golf for the rest of my life as a professional, do what I love in Australia. Support junior golf and golf in Australia and I get to spend more time here. It was a no brainer.”
Since making the lucrative move, Smith has enjoyed plenty of success on the LIV Golf circuit, winning three times on the circuit individually across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Whilst he was unable to secure a fourth individual crown in 2024, Smith and his Ripper GC teammates ended the year by winning the Team Championship in Dallas at the season finale in September.