Cameron Smith’s Stunning Decline: Is LIV Impacting Golf Star’s Game?

Once hailed as a dominant force in golf, Australian star Cameron Smith is currently navigating a dramatic downturn in his career, sparking discussions across the sport. The Queenslander, who famously sported a ‘150 OPEN’ personalized number plate last week—a proud nod to his 2022 Open Championship victory—finds himself in unfamiliar territory as he prepares for the Australian Open.

Millenium TV has observed Smith’s struggles firsthand, with the golfer having missed the cut in seven consecutive tournaments where a cut line was in play. This includes a disheartening record of failing to advance to the weekend in all four major championships this year. His world ranking has plummeted to 354th, a significant drop from his previous standing, though factors like LIV Golf’s lack of official ranking points contribute to this decline.

Following a frustrating 75 in the second round of last week’s Australian PGA, which saw him exit the competition, Smith expressed his deep confusion. “I don’t know, I just don’t know. I was so confused,” he told reporters, adding, “I was feeling good, really confident and just couldn’t get anything going. It was weird. It can definitely get in your head. I think it is in my head.”

Smith’s current predicament stands in stark contrast to his peak in 2022, when he was the reigning Players champion and captured the 150th Open at St Andrews with a stunning 64, overtaking Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young. Shortly after, he made a high-profile move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, a decision that has been heavily scrutinized.

Industry observers are now questioning whether the lucrative, no-cut, 54-hole format of LIV tournaments has blunted the competitive edge of a player once known for his fierce determination. Mike Clayton, a prominent figure and sharp analyst in Australian golf, had previously warned of such a potential regression. Clayton indicated that joining LIV could see a player ‘forsaking your competitiveness for money,’ suggesting that individuals might ‘not going to be as sharp playing that tour as you are playing the PGA Tour.’ He posited that Smith, who had the potential for multiple major wins, might pass up that opportunity by joining the breakaway league.

While some LIV players, notably Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, have achieved major championship success since the league’s inception, their unique career trajectories and competitive mentalities are considered by many to be outliers rather than indicative of a general trend. Koepka is known for his major-focused approach, while DeChambeau’s distinct style often sets him apart.

However, the recent form of other high-profile LIV recruits, such as Jon Rahm, provides more compelling evidence. Despite winning LIV’s individual standings this year, Rahm has not secured a single tournament victory on the circuit and has failed to improve on his impressive record of eight major top-fives (including two wins) from his pre-LIV career.

The discussions around player competitiveness have prompted LIV Golf to consider a transition to 72-hole tournaments starting next year. This move, reportedly advocated by Rahm, aims not only to bolster the league’s bid for official world ranking points but also to better prepare players for the rigorous demands of major championships, where only the most consistent golfers typically prevail.

Fellow Australian golfer Min Woo Lee recently affirmed his commitment to remaining on the traditional tours, emphasizing his desire to stay within the world’s top 50 for Masters eligibility. Lee also shared his observations on Smith’s situation. “Cam was one of the best players in the world before he went to LIV and I hope he can find a stride,” Lee remarked, adding that in longer format tournaments, ‘great golfers, over time, if there’s more holes, they’re probably going to come out on top.’

As the golf world looks on, the upcoming Australian Open at Royal Melbourne presents a crucial opportunity for Smith. With Masters champion Rory McIlroy headlining the event, the focus will not be on a potential rematch of their thrilling 2022 Open showdown, but rather on whether Smith can simply complete all four rounds and begin to reverse a perplexing and dramatic career downturn. His car, still bearing the ‘150 OPEN’ plate, was seen back at Royal Queensland over the weekend, but only to take him to the practice range, a stark reminder that past glories are not enough to escape current struggles.