Cameron Smith claims he preferred LIV Golf tournament to winning The Open

28 April 2023 , 20:10

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Cam Smith had high praise for LIV Adelaide (Image: AP)

An Open Championship victory at the Home of Golf St Andrews, a second place Masters finish at the iconic Augusta National, and a Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass.

Former world No. 2 Cameron Smith has quite the CV, but none of these three mammoth weeks compared to his homecoming at LIV Adelaide. LIV Golf made their first venture down under last week, and for Smith it was no doubt a tournament to remember.

The three days at The Grange proved to be LIV's most successful event yet, with a sell out crowd providing a stellar atmosphere across the Australian track.

Talor Gooch was the man who prevailed, as he secured a three-shot victory to take home the £3.2 million prize. Amid the beer-fuelled Adelaide atmosphere, the man who proved to be the fan favourite was Australia's golden boy Smith.

The 29-year-old secured a tied-third finish in the Aussie sun at 15-under-par. Since its inception last June, many within the world of golf have played down the rise of LIV Golf, no doubt due to its lack of world ranking points and its three-round, no-cut, limited field events.

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Cam Smith received plenty of support in Adealide (AP)

For Smith though his week in Adelaide proved to be the best of his career, just nine months after winning arguably golf's most prestigious at the most historic of venues. Hyping up the Australian event, the Open champion said: "I would go as far as to say this is the best event I’ve ever played.

"I think I’m probably biased a little bit being from Australia, but this is what LIV Golf is about." And Smith is not the only man who was left impressed by the week, with fellow LIV rebel Phil Mickelson also singing the praises of the Australian-based tournament.

"[LIV Golf Adelaide] is really an example of what is possible," Mickelson commented. "And a new opportunity to present golf in a different way and have a different energy and a different feel. What LIV Golf has provided is a great alternative for the traditional ways of golf, and the people here in Australia have embraced it, and so you see a whole different energy."

Joshua Lees