Interviewed by the BBC Gary Player expressed the shock felt when Cameron Smith, recent winner of The Open at St Andrews announced his departure for LIV Golf at the risk of sacrificing a career as an immense champion. For the 86-year-old South African, the Australian had everything to become a “superstar”.
The South African golf legend reacted violently when he had confirmation of the departure of Cameron Smith for the dissident circuit. “And Now, what is his future?”
The latest reports point to a first-to-sign of $140 million and Smith told his press conference in Boston that it would have been impossible for the PGA Tour to hold him. He also said he was looking forward to finally spending more time in Australia and felt it was unfair that there were no world ranking points in LIV tournaments.
It is a circuit for players who have lost confidence in themselves.
Gary Player
Ambassador of the golf development program in Saudi Arabia that he wears on his polo shirts stamped “Golf Saudi”, Gary Player did not hesitate to describe the shock felt at the announcement of the departure of the 28-year-old Australian, in ahead of the fourth of eight tournaments in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Earlier this year Player claimed players wanting to join LIV “need the money” and came to the defense of Phil Mickelson.
“He’s a young man who I really thought was going to be a superstar. Now, what is his future? Will he be allowed to play in the majors in the future? Will he be able to achieve this great dream of being a champion? I do not know.”
badly advised
Winner of 9 majors Player 86 also indicated that in Smith’s place he would have made a completely different decision and blamed the advisers of the recent winner of The Open.
“I’ve played golf all my life and I wouldn’t trade a billion dollars for my nine major wins. I worked hard. I had a desire. I traveled the world, it was an education. I met wonderful people.”
For Player the departure of players finally career is however quite understandable. He is convinced that some like Westwood, Poulter, Garcia or Stenson felt that they were no longer able to win on the classic circuits.
“I don’t blame Stenson for making that choice. He had no more money. said Player. “But for this superstar Cameron Smith, I think his advisers misguided him. It is a circuit for players who have lost confidence in themselves.
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