Cam Smith LIV-in' on the Edge

Another day, another reported signing for LIV Golf. In what feels like a tide washing over golf slowly, the latest player to have a rumored agreement is World Number 2 Cam Smith. According to the Telegraph's Tom Morgan, LIV and Smith have agreed to a contract rumored to be around $100 million guaranteed.

What does this mean for golf fans? Well, this is arguably the most impressive signing for LIV. Cam is young, a fan favorite with his mullet and facial hair, and of course an incredibly talented golfer. He's won twice this season. His first victory came at The PLAYERS Championship, which boasts the fourth strongest field in golf this season. Next, Smith conquered the historic Old Course at St. Andrews to win his first major title at the Open Championship, the second strongest field in golf. Cam Smith leaving the PGA Tour represents the first superstar caliber player they've lost in their prime. It also signals LIV's appeal to the international market as a whole, which seemingly has been a strategy of Greg Norman as the teams clearly have been created to promote country pride.

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One wrinkle to the reported signing will be the timing of when it becomes official. Cam Smith in his media session shortly after the news broke had "no comment" and reiterated his focus on the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The Tour Championship winner takes home $18 million in prize money, with another $2.7 million going to the winner of the first two legs of the playoffs. Rumors were always floating around that players would hold off until after the FedEx Cup Playoffs to formalize any announcements with LIV, so I wouldn't expect anything different here. The real question becomes will Smith officially defect prior to the President's Cup? We recently saw Henrik Stenson have to forfeit his Ryder Cup captaincy, and while the President's Cup has far less prestige, could we see Smith delay signing his contract with LIV until then? The President's Cup takes place in late September, but the PGA Tour could bar him prior if the writing is on the wall. My guess is that Smith gets announced by LIV right after the Tour Championship. The news cycle of Smith not being able to play in the President's Cup surely will frustrate some fans of the International Team who only have this event to look forward to in the team golf space. That little nugget about Greg Norman creating international based teams such as Magesticks GC comprised of English players, or Stinger GC comprised of South African fan favorites? Fellow Aussie Marc Leishman is rumored to follow Cam to LIV, paving the way for an Australian team.

Only time will tell if LIV Golf's strategy of creating teams marketed towards different fanbases and countries, but this signing is the biggest indicator that LIV's team format might truly be the future of golf whether you like it or not.