Cameron Smith vows to play on, shoots down retirement talk following LIV Golf collapse
Cameron Smith has shot down any suggestions he'll retire from golf at the end of 2026 as LIV – at least in its current guise – winds down.
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund last week confirmed it would pull funding for the rebel golf league at season's end, thrusting the futures of Smith and his Aussie Ripper GC teammates Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert and Elvis Smylie under a cloud.
Having already declined an olive branch to return to the PGA Tour, Smith in particular faces the most uncertainty. Leishman has been tipped to retire to his native Warrnambool, while both Herbert and Smylie each have clear pathways on which to return.
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Speaking to Australian media on Wednesday, Smith shot down suggestions he would quit the game.
"I'm 32, so I've got a while yet," he said per The Sydney Morning Herald. He did not expand on his plans for next year.
Cameron Smith has vowed to play on despite uncertainty following the LIV Golf collapse. Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima
The Herald reported media were blocked from asking Smith to speculate on the future of the rebel tour, but he insisted he was "excited" for whatever it looked like.
"What I hope will happen is we play, obviously," he said.
"I think we do a great job of growing the game around the world. Bringing out new fans and letting people enjoy golf.
"Personally, I love what we do and it's a joy to do it. I know I haven't been playing the greatest golf along the way, but I really love what we're doing.
"It's just so fresh. There's nothing really to say. I know the team are working hard behind the scenes. They're doing everything we can for us. I'm excited. I know (LIV chief executive) Scott O'Neill is really excited for the challenge in the coming months."
Smith also said he was "absolutely … 100 per cent" confident the Adelaide tournament will continue into next year.
O'Neill has the unenviable task of securing funding for the league from alternative backers. While he has promised the tour will continue into 2027, it's likely to bare little if any semblance of its former self.
The Saudis have reportedly sunk $5 billion into the tour, of which Smith himself has pocketed an estimated $190 million since joining as a foundation player in 2022.
At the time, Smith was world No.2 and fresh off victory at the British Open at the iconic Old Course at St Andrews. He has since struggled with inconsistent form and barely been in contention at the majors. At Augusta last month, he failed to make the weekend at a sixth consecutive major.
Having slumped to No.225 in the world rankings, Smith is still bullish of returning to the kind of form that took him to the Claret Jug less than four years ago.
"The goal is to get back to how I was playing a few years ago and get even better. That's why I work every day and get out and try and get better," he said.
"It's coming. I know it is. It's a bit of a rough time at the moment.
"It sucks to play golf like that and feel like that. It's been a rough time in the majors for sure.
"Probably early in my career I kind of hung my hat on how I performed in the majors, and it's just not good enough … I am making a few changes and trying to get back to where I was and better.
"I can promise you the fire is in the belly. It's just a matter of time.
Smith has struggled with form since joining the LIV tour. Getty
"I want to win tournaments. I want to win majors. I've done it before and I think it's been a while since I've been truly competitive at the top of the leaderboard.
"The fire is really burning at the moment. To get back in that spot where I know I can be.
"If I could win another major, I'd be the happiest bloke alive."
As a former winner, Smith has an exemption to play the British Open until he's 60, but five-year exemptions to the other three majors - The Masters, US Open and PGA Championship - all expire at the end of next year.
He is one of five Aussies who will hit the course at the PGA Championship in Pennsylvania next weekend.
