LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has been accused of robbing Cameron Smith of cementing his spot as an all-time Aussie great after he signed for the controversial breakaway group. Smith stunned the golf world when he announced his move to the Saudi-backed group for a reported $140 million at the end of 2022.
The move came only weeks after Smith won The Open and was currently the World No.1 golfer. However, polarising analyst Brandel Chamblee has taken aim at Norman for convincing Smith to move over.
Since Smith’s move, players on the LIV Golf Tour have been banned from PGA Tour events. This means Smith is unable to defend the title he won at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Many of the players have weighed-in on the LIV Golf situation and admitted it is a shame the reigning champion won’t be at the ‘fifth major’ to defend his title. Although most of the players have also agreed that Smith made his decision knowing it could see him banned from PGA Tour events.
And Chamblee has used the controversy to take a dig at Norman for the LIV Golf drama. “It’s ironic to me that it might possibly be an Aussie that will keep another Aussie in Cameron Smith possibly from ascending to a spot where he’s considered the greatest player of all time (from Australia),” Chamblee told the Golf Channel.
“Supplanting Peter Thomson, he had that kind of talent. Norman didn’t get there but (Smith) could have easily supplanted Greg Norman as the second-best player of all time from Australia. That’s at least in my view where Cameron Smith was headed.
“That’s what he’s turned his back on and a lot of it has to do with Greg Norman, and Cam Smith got a lot of bad advice from his agents and other people in the game around him trying to suck him into LIV.”
Brandel Chamblee praises Cam Smith’s game
The Open recently announced LIV golfers will be able to compete at the major if they are able to qualify with their rankings. While plenty won’t be able to qualify because of their rankings taking a hit since joining the breakaway group, Smith will be eligible.
