Defending champion Cam Smith might makes his presence felt at TPC Sawgrass this week after all, joking that it could be quite funny should he join the crowd to watch The Players Championship alongside the fans.
The Australian forfeited his right to defend the title at Tour HQ when he took a reported $140m payday to join LIV Golf following last year’s Open Championship success.
2022 Players championship winner Cam Smith *might* show up in the crowd this week… 👀 pic.twitter.com/GMSOsxDs0B
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) March 6, 2023
A Florida resident just a few minutes down the road from Ponte Vedra, Smith’s presence would certainly ruffle a few feathers should he go through with his plans to make an appearance on other side of the ropes.
“I am a little it unsure. That is where I live now. I don’t know, I will definitely be watching it on TV. I think it is a great event,” he told Golf.com.
“I grew up my whole childhood watching the event. I would love to get out there. I don’t know how it would be received, me getting out there and watching, walking around in the crowd. Might be pretty funny, I would love to do that.”
Indeed, quite how Smith would be welcomed remains to be seen, though PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan did promise him a hero’s welcome for life following his victory at the so-called fifth major in 2022.
“Before I hand him the trophy,” Monahan began, “Cameron doesn’t live far from here and every single time he pulls his car up the main road, he’s going to receive a hero’s welcome.”
No hero’s welcome this week for Cam Smith, which is completely his own doing. But it should quell any 5th major chat around this tournament when clearly the four majors stand alone now more than ever pic.twitter.com/E05MZQhvEp
— John Craven (@Ace_Craven) March 7, 2023
What a difference a year makes!
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