Atlanta – As Billy Horschel Approaching the 18th green in the final round of a Tour Championship Sunday at East Lake Golf Club, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was the last time he’d play with his dear friend, Cameron Smithon the PGA Tour.
Horschel and Smith live in Ponte Vedra, Florida. They play golf together and go fishing outside during their free time.
“If he goes, that would be the biggest loss in my mind because you look at his age and what he’s accomplished,” Horschel said. “Look at the person he is. He is a wonderful kid and represents himself very well, and he does it the right way. If that happens, it would be my biggest loss because I am biased. He is one of my best friends.”
The new circuit announced Tuesday that Smith, 29, will be leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Smith is number 2 in the official golf rankings and won the 150th Open in St Andrews in July. Chile Joaquin Niemann (The 19th player in the world), Harold Varner III (No. 46), Cameron Triangle (No. 55), Australia Mark Leishman (No. 62) and India Anirban Lahiri (No. 92) also joins LIV Golf, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
LIV Golf said the six players will compete in its fourth event, which begins Friday at The International outside Boston.
“LIV Golf is showing the world that our truly global league attracts the best players in the world and will grow the game into the future for the next generation,” LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman He said in a statement. “The best and the brightest continue to embrace the excitement and energy of LIV Golf and what we are building: a tangible league of team golf that will connect with new audiences around the world. We can’t wait to start this week at The International and deliver an unforgettable event experience to fans.”
Smith is the PGA Tour’s biggest loss. The Australian is at the peak of his career, having won The Players title in March and his first major at the 150th Open. Smith is a six-time winner of the PGA Tour and a popular player among fans and fellow competitors.
“He’s a good companion for me,” Australia Adam Scott He said. “I play a lot of training sessions with Cam. I’m going to miss that. He’s a lesser quality player and I have to beat him.”
Smith and Neiman, who were winners of the Genesis Invitational in Riviera in February, were automatic qualifiers for the international team that will compete in the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sept. 20-25.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has suspended players for competing in LIV Golf tournaments without conflicting event versions. Since the Presidents Cup is approved by the PGA Tour, Smith and Neiman will not be eligible to play. It’s a blow to the international team, which has already emerged as a great underdog for the Americans.
International team captain Trevor Immelman He is scheduled to announce his captain’s options on September 6. Hideki MatsuyamaAnd the Songjae ImTom Kim Corey ConnersAnd the Mito Pereira Scott qualified for the team. Immelmann will add six players to the 12-player roster.
“All I can say is that Trevor is as prepared as he can for anything,” Scott said. “I really feel for him. He’s been in a tough spot for a long time. He has a plan, and whatever goes with him will go with it. It’s just the fact that we’re the underdogs and it’s a stacked American team, even with some [of their] Guys are missing as well, not just at 11.”
Pereira, who was leading on the 72nd hole of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills and tied for third, will also head to LIV Golf at some point in the future, sources previously told ESPN.
USA team captain Davis Love III It will also add six captain selections on September 7. Patrick CantlayAnd the Sam BurnsAnd the Justin ThomasAnd the Scotty SchefflerAnd the Xander Shaveli And the Tony Vino Already qualified.
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