Cam Smith delivers furious response to LIV Golf question minutes after Open win

Open record-breaker Cameron Smith fiercely batted away a question about joining the breakaway LIV Golf Tour.

The Australian was speaking after his back-nine miracle saw him claim the 150th Open at St. Andrew’s, when it had looked for all the world Rory McIlroy’s title to lose. The popular Ulsterman, who was fiercely backed by the packed terraces, went into the final day in co-lead with Viktor Hovland.

McIlroy produced an almost faultless last 18 holes, but he was unable to match the aggression and bravery of his counterpart. And whilst the Irishman’s putter went cold, Smith’s was white-hot picking up shots on five straight holes after the front nine.

He ran into trouble on the daunting 17th but put together a miraculous two-putt to keep his one-shot lead over the travelling pack, before responding to playing partner Cameron Young’s two on 18, with yet another birdie of his own.

McIlroy retained a modicum of hope as he walked up the famous final fairway but after failing to find the green off the tee he was unable to sink a chip which would have sent the stands into pandemonium and the final major of the year into a playoff.

Smith’s 20-under par is a new record for the Open and matches the lowest four-round score ever shot in a Major championship. But with the champagne corks barely popped, the looming spectre of more players jumping ship to the controversial LIV tour reared its head.

A number of high-profile players have already decided to take the riches on offer from the Saudi-backed tour, with the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood already on the roster.

And while the new star of world gold angrily responded to the question about his involvement - he refused to rule out the