Going to the PLAYERS? You May See 2022 Champ Cameron Smith In The Crowd

2022 PLAYERS Champion Cameron Smith defected to LIV Golf after the conclusion of the PGA Tour season last year, which makes him ineligible to defend his title. However, he said he might still show up on the grounds of TPC Sawgrass to watch as a fan.

TPC Sawgrass is located locally to Smith’s residence in Jacksonville, which is where he’s lived for several years since coming to the United States to pursue his golf career. He’s been widely successful, and last year, he won both the PLAYERS and the Open Championship in the same year, becoming only the second golfer in history to accomplish the feat, joining Jack Nicklaus in 1978.

Although he might not be there as a player, Smith said he might still make it to the event as a fan:

“Like I said, I’m a little bit unsure, ya know. That’s where I live now, so I don’t know. I’ll definitely be watching on TV. I think it’s a great event to watch. I grew up my whole childhood watching the event, and, yeah, I’d love to get out there.”

🚨#NEW: Defending PLAYERS Champ and Jacksonville resident Cam Smith says he might pull up to watch the event in person this week 💀 pic.twitter.com/OE93Cs6pVZ

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) March 6, 2023

The PLAYERS is a tournament with major implications: the winner receives an exemption to be a TOUR Player for three years, along with automatic bids to compete in all four majors for the next three seasons.

Smith is well aware there might be some pushback with his attendance. There are plenty of players who remained on TOUR who were critical of those who went to the LIV Tour, and although he won’t be playing, people still might think, “Why do you want to be here?”

“I don’t know how it would be, kind of, received, but even getting out there and watching and walking around in the crowd might be pretty funny.”

Smith said he doesn’t think he could heckle the players competing at the tournament, which is understandable. Smith is relatively subdued with his emotions and mild-mannered, so not many would expect him to heckle even if he was there as a fan and wasn’t the returning champion.

Cover Image Via Portland Press Herald