The Masters: Cameron Smith calls on LIV players to impress at Augusta after media ‘garbage’ | Golf News

Cameron Smith has slammed the media for the “garbage” LIV has spoken of, however admitted the breakaway circuit might do with a few of its Masters contenders.

The defending Open champion is one in all 18 LIV members on the court docket at Augusta Nationwide for the most important opener of the yr, the place world #1 Scottie Scheffler returns as defending champion and Rory McIlroy has one other alternative to finish his Grand Slam profession.

Brooks Koepka stated it will be a “big assertion” for any of the gamers on the rival circuit to see main success this week, whereas Smith believes a robust efficiency from the LIV contingent might assist scale back the negativity round their occasions.

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Brooks Koepka says a LIV Masters winner could be an enormous assertion for the breakaway tour

“I feel it is simply vital that the LIV guys are up there as a result of I feel we must be up there,” Smith stated forward of the Masters, the place he was the one LIV participant to provide a thumbs up. press convention earlier than the event.

“I feel there’s quite a lot of chatter about ‘these guys do not play actual golf; these guys do not play the true golf programs.” Certain, I will be the primary to say the programs aren’t that robust, however we nonetheless have quite a lot of guys up there who can play actually critical golf.

Cameron Smith completed tied for third on the Masters in 2022

“We play one another exhausting week after week and attempt to do the identical issues we did six months in the past. It is a good feeling to have this competitors and it is good to see Brooks [Koepka] win final week. He performs excellent golf. I feel we simply want a great strong end.”

Smith admitted he was not sure of the reception he would obtain from his friends on the lineup, given his transfer from the PGA Tour on the finish of the FedExCup playoffs final season, the Australian asking if we had been doing an excessive amount of LIV storytelling.

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Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw thinks subsequent month’s Champions Dinner at Augusta Nationwide could possibly be ‘tense’ – with numerous LIV golfers anticipated to attend the night

“I simply suppose there’s an excessive amount of trash, mainly,” Smith defined. “For me, like I stated there, I spent an hour there and noticed quite a lot of acquainted faces. Plenty of smiles and hugs, and it was good.

“I do not suppose there’s any form of hatred between the gamers. We’re all blissful the place we’re, and I am simply as blissful for guys profitable on the PGA Tour as I’m for LIV golfers.”

Cameron Smith has completed sixth, twenty sixth and twenty ninth in his three LIV appearances thus far this season

Smith was among the many LIV gamers seen sporting designer garments throughout Monday’s apply day, though he was keen to vary if it was an issue for event officers in Augusta.

“I’ve one other set of garments made this week with out them,” Smith added. “We have not actually heard of the Augusta Nationwide logos. For me personally, I am actually happy with the place I’m and what I am doing. Until that is an issue for these guys- there, I’ll carry.”

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Cameron Smith says he has no regrets about transferring from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf Tour, insisting the change has allowed him to spend extra time with household and buddies.

Requested extra about his transfer to LIV in a separate TV interview, Smith stated he “would not change something.”

When first requested what recommendation he would give to any younger golfer trying to comply with in his footsteps, Smith replied, “I am unable to make selections for him, however [LIV Golf] it is undoubtedly a path now I feel and for the long run without end.”

Additional emphasizing whether or not this could stop youthful golfers from competing in tournaments just like the Masters, Smith added: “We’re simply going to need to see the way it all performs out. I am not likely certain.

Lastly, Smith stated of his transfer: “Why did I am going to LIV? To spend extra time in Australia with my family and friends. I would not change a factor…I am actually pleased with the place I’m. .”

Johnson downplays all LIV-PGA points

Dustin Johnson says he feels no totally different returning to Augusta Nationwide as a member of LIV Golf and expects no points together with his PGA Tour counterparts this week.

Johnson took a document win within the 2020 contest and completed tied for twelfth final yr, making the previous world No. 1 one in all six former Masters champions to have since joined the breakaway circuit .

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Dustin Johnson says there is not any distinction between this yr’s Masters and former years as LIV Golf and PGA Tour gamers put together to play within the event

The 2-time main winner hasn’t performed in an occasion providing world rating factors because the Open in July, seeing him fall to 69th on the earth, and he is trying ahead to enjoying it alongside gamers on the PGA Tour.

“For me, it is the identical factor,” Johnson stated. “All my buddies are nonetheless my buddies, and we’re enjoying, and it is nonetheless golf. So it does not matter the place you play. I am nonetheless enjoying golf for a residing. I am right here on the Masters and I am having fun with this week This week is devoted to Augusta.

“It has nothing to do with the place you play, however the guys who’re right here, they play everywhere in the world. Not everybody performs in the identical place. It is good to see quite a lot of guys as a result of that I have not seen all of them a lot.”

{Couples} resist insults to former champions

Fred {Couples} insists he can be blissful to face Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia this week, regardless of lately insulting his fellow former Masters champions.

Fred {Couples} performed a apply spherical with Tiger Woods, Tom Kim and Rory McIlroy on Monday

The 1992 champion commented on golf duo LIV as a visitor speaker at a PGA Tour Champions Breakfast in California final month, the place he referred to as Mickelson ‘loopy’ and Garcia a ‘clown’ .

“I do not anticipate something totally different,” {Couples} stated after a apply spherical on Monday. “I made feedback however they should perceive. In the event that they watched every thing I ever stated, I name myself the identical as I name them. I simply do not suppose they need to be bashing the PGA Tour or whoever. Go {golfing}.

“Tomorrow evening goes to be an awesome dinner, nice enjoyable. Folks have been asking me if I will be paired up (with any LIV gamers). I would wish to be paired up with Phil. He is probably the greatest gamers ever. by no means performed., love this place as a lot as I do and if we did we might watch one another on the primary gap and have a good time.

“If anybody needs to cease and ask why I am choosing on them, then I am all for it, however I do not actually suppose I’ve carried out something horrible. They make feedback and I reply to them and that is it. If it is offensive, I apologize, however they’re on one other Tour. Go play and have a great time. I’ve no downside with anybody on the LIV Tour , really not.”

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