adminST ANDREWS. – Cameron Smith said to win the historic 150th Open Championship at St Andrews was “unbelievable”, but then did not rule out joining the controversial Saudi-funded LIV Golf series.
The 28-year-old won his first major at the Old Course in Scotland on Sunday.
But when asked about rumours linking him with a move to the series fronted by fellow Australian Greg Norman, he said: “I don’t know, mate.
“My team worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”
He added: “I just won The Open, and you’re asking about that. I think that’s not good.”
Talk of the LIV Golf series has rumbled on all week in St Andrews. The R&A had hoped to keep the focus on their landmark championship by not inviting Norman, a two-time winner of The Open, to this week’s exhibition event and dinner for past champions.
It was a move Norman – a friend of Smith – called “petty”, while players such as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have fielded questions this week about their involvement in the £1.6bn start-up.
Garcia, talking to Spanish reporters, said he was going to quit the European-based DP World Tour “imminently” after completing his final round at St Andrews – a move that would make Europe’s record Ryder Cup points-scorer ineligible to play in next year’s contest in Italy.
“I have given more than half my life to the European Tour and I wanted to continue playing it, but I am not going to be where they don’t want me,” said Garcia, who recently quit the American-based PGA Tour, which has suspended its members that have played a LIV event.
They include 2013 Open champion Phil Mickelson, who was also asked not to attend this week’s celebration events, and major winners Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed. Smith reeled in overnight co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland’s four-stroke final-round advantage to win by one shot from American Cameron Young, with McIlroy finishing two shots back in third.
“To win an Open Championship in itself is probably going to be a golfer’s highlight in their career,” said Smith. “To do it around St Andrews, I think is just unbelievable.
“This place is so cool. I love the golf course. I love the town.”
He celebrated the victory with his team, after his father decided at the last minute not to make the trip from Australia because of the long flight and the “thought of doing all that travel for one week”.
“My dad was actually meant to come over, and he pulled out in the last minute basically. I had a quick chat with him before. He’s kicking himself now,” laughed Smith.
“I really wish he was here too. It would have been such a cool week, even without this, to be at the home of golf. Dad loves his golf as well. It would have been awesome.”
The Brisbane-born golfer joked during his television interviews that he would see how many beers would fit in the Claret Jug, adding in his news conference the answer might be two.
“I’ll probably have about 20 Claret Jugs,” said Smith, who confirmed his iconic mullet hairstyle would be staying. “To be honest, I’m really tired. It’s been a long week, so I’d be surprised if I make it past 10:00 or 11:00 tonight!” – BBC Sport.
Online Reporter