According to James Sutherland, the chief of Golf Australia, Cameron Smith should have the freedom to participate in any golf tour he chooses, despite the ongoing financial difficulties faced by LIV Golf.
The withdrawal of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund from LIV has left several Australian golfers, including Smith, Elvis Smylie, Marc Leishman, and Lucas Herbert, facing an uncertain future as the current season comes to a close.
Gavin Kirkman, the CEO of the PGA Tour of Australia, plans to meet with Smith and his team at the end of May to discuss potential opportunities moving forward.
Golf officials in Australia are working to ease concerns regarding Smith’s future in the sport, allowing him time to navigate the turmoil surrounding LIV Golf. The 32-year-old, who claimed the British Open title, along with his fellow Australian players, now confronts a precarious situation.
With the exit of Saudi funding, LIV Golf is shifting its strategy towards seeking long-term capital, which may involve private investors acquiring stakes in the teams.
In light of these developments, former US President Donald Trump and others have recommended that the US PGA Tour reintegrate Smith and other LIV players into its ranks.
Kirkman emphasized the importance of Smith and his compatriots to Australian golf, stating, “We’re concentrating on Cam. Marc Leishman still has plenty of golf ahead of him, Elvis Smylie is an emerging talent, and Lucas Herbert is capable of clinching a major title.”
The Australian golfing community values these four athletes and hopes that they will continue to participate in major tournaments. “We can’t dictate their choices, but we anticipate that the global golf scene will unite, as all tours and major events desire the best players to compete,” Kirkman added.
Smith’s performance at the 2022 Open at St Andrews marked a high point, but his tied ninth finish at the 2023 PGA Championship has been his best result in a major since then. He struggled in recent tournaments, missing the cut in all four majors in 2025 and failing to qualify for the weekend at the Masters last month.
Despite the challenges, Smith has enjoyed considerable financial success with LIV, earning over $51 million in his career after reportedly signing a $100 million contract.
Sutherland expressed pride in the Ripper team, stating, “We are very proud of these four players and appreciate their participation in our major events each year. We hope they will continue to do so. We support their decisions regarding which tours they choose to play.”
LIV Golf has hosted four tournaments in Adelaide, with the South Australian government investing $45 million to redevelop the North Adelaide golf course, which is set to host a LIV tournament in 2028.
Sutherland acknowledged awareness of ongoing discussions related to LIV, mentioning that he has had conversations with the management of the Ripper team. “There is significant uncertainty regarding how this situation will unfold,” he noted.
