Cameron Smith refuses to deny new reports of $143 million LIV deal

Open champion Cameron Smith, the world No 2, has again refused to deny reports that he has agreed to join the LIV rebel golf tour on a reported AU$143 million deal.

Fellow Australian pro Cameron Percy told Melbourne’s RSN radio network on Tuesday that Smith and countryman Marc Leishman have agreed to join the controversial Saudi-backed series fronted by Australian golf icon Greg Norman.

Meanwhile, the London Telegraph is reporting that Smith, also the reigning champion at the Players Championship, flagship event of the PGA Tour, will make his LIV Tour debut in Boston next month. The Telegraph report claims confirmation of his switch is expected after the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs this week in Memphis.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the FedExCup St Jude Championship, the man with the most famous mullet in sport again refused to rule out reports he will become the most high-profile defection to LIV. “My goal here is to win the FedEx Cup play-offs,” said the 28-year-old Queenslander. “That’s all I’m here for.

“If there’s something I need to say regarding the PGA Tour or LIV, it will come from Cameron Smith, not Cameron Percy,” Smith added. “I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys need to know anything it will be said by me.

“Like I said, I’m here to play the FedEx Cup play-offs. That’s been my focus the last week and a half, that’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to win the FedEx Cup play-offs.”

However, in a twist, Smith confirmed he intended to play next month in the President’s Cup in Charlotte, North Carolina which suggests a move to the LIV series is not as imminent as the Telegraph’s speculation suggests. If Smith did join the LIV tour, he would be banned from the Presidents Cup, a PGA Tour event.

“That’