LIV's Cam Smith suggests he will make an appearance at PGA Tour event despite ban: 'I'd love to be out there'

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It appears that a ban by the PGA Tour may not be enough keep Cameron Smith away from The Players Championship later this week.

Smith, like all other all players who defected from the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, is banned from the tour's events. 

But as far as major tournaments go, Augusta National Golf Club officials announced in December that golfers who qualified for the Masters tournament based on its previous criteria will be eligible to play in April 2023. Meaning, several players who currently compete in the LIV Golf series have likely received an invitation to the Masters.

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Cameron Smith of RIPPER GC looks on during the LIV Golf Invitational - Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on Feb. 25, 2023 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

But Smith, who lives near TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., teased that he may still attend this year's tournament.

"I'd love to get out there," Smith said via GOLF.com. "I don't know how it would be received. But even getting out there, watching, walking around in the crowd might be pretty funny."

If Smith does end up going to the tournament it could certainly be viewed as a slap in the face to the PGA and to the golfers who decided to remain on the tour.

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Smith does have some free time coming up, as LIV Golf does not have another event until March 17.

But even if he shows up to The Players Championship, Smith will not be able to defend his 2022 title. The Australian