Gary Player Slams Cam Smith for Joining LIV!

Gary Player has been very vocal during the LIV Tour saga.  From the beginning his stance has been unclear, but now we are in no doubt.

Sporting the Saudi Golf logo on his traditional all-black attire at the opening ceremony for the Masters 2022 ruffled some feathers. It led Player, a nine-time major champion, to defend the Saudis, explaining that Saudi Arabia was a US ally. Player also defended Phil Mickelson after he was exiled and dropped by sponsors upon signing for LIV.

Gary Player, who is a Golf Saudi ambassador, rips Cam Smith and LIV Golf on a BBC interview. We have officially broken contain pic.twitter.com/AQsx0QpT1t

— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) August 31, 2022

Today, Player has blasted World #2 Cam Smith for joining the LIV Tour. Despite being a Saudi Golf ambassador, Player explained his shock at seeing Smith join LIV; asking ‘what future does he have?’

He didn’t hold back, also questioning how one can call themselves a champion while playing only 54 holes. The idea that no cut dumbs down any stroke play win is consistent among some golf pundits, particularly those who have had successful careers that meant holding it together on the back 9 on a Sunday. Competitors like Tiger Woods, Sir Nick Faldo, and Gary Player himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Player went on to say he “wouldn’t take a billion dollars” for his haul of nine majors. Player said that LIV was a Tour for those who ‘have no confidence in their future’. This would suggest that the older LIV defectors made the right choice, and the reason Smith is being lambasted is he could’ve continued to achieve multiple Tour wins and build his legacy. Despite going all out on Smith, Player showed some understanding towards the likes of Henrik Stenson, who relinquished his Ryder cup captaincy role to join LIV.

The comments leave us in no doubt what Mr Gary Player thinks of the LIV defectors. Beyond a certain age, signing with LIV may be passable. At age 86 and still swinging well, Gary Player holds the modern Tour player to his own high standards!

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