LIV Golf: Cam Smith’s Transformation Ahead of the Masters

Cameron Smith’s Rise and Recent Struggles

Cameron Smith experienced a stellar year in 2022 that many golfers aspire to achieve, winning prestigious tournaments like The Open Championship, The PLAYERS, The Sentry, and participating in LIV Golf events in Miami and Chicago. He notably triumphed over a peak Rory McIlroy, suggesting he was on the verge of becoming one of golf’s elite. In 2023, he maintained this momentum by securing two additional major wins. Unfortunately, since then, the Queensland native has struggled significantly, failing to capture any major titles over the past nearly two years. While Smith’s performance is partly to blame for this downturn, there may be further underlying factors at play.

The recently held 2025 PLAYERS Championship saw Rory McIlroy reclaim the title, while Smith was notably absent from discussions, even failing to appear as a longshot contender with CBS. Since 2023, Smith’s world ranking points have decreased, he has lost major tournament exemptions, and he faces the stark reality that his peak success has coincided with diminishing opportunities in the sport. With the Masters just two weeks away, the 31-year-old golfer, who was a champion in 2022, now confronts the reality of his declining performance.

Insights from Former Pros

Recently, on the Talk Birdie To Me Podcast, former World No. 16 Nick O’Hern and fellow professional golfer Mark Allen discussed Smith’s current condition. A fan lamented about Smith’s transformation from a promising multiple-major winner to a standard professional on the LIV Tour, expressing disappointment in his inability to compete in majors.

O’Hern acknowledged how the pressure at major events differs from regular tournaments and praised the professional athletes’ ability to handle it. Reflecting on Smith’s choice to join LIV, O’Hern admitted to his surprise, stating, “When he first went, I was a little surprised; he had the chance to become, I thought, Australia’s best golfer ever, but the money was hard to turn down.” This shift indeed raises concerns over Smith’s declining form.

Recent Performance in Majors

Smith’s performance in major championships has also seen a downturn. Last year, his top finish was T6 at The Masters, while he placed T32 at the US Open, T63 at the PGA Championship, and missed the cut at The Open with a score of +12. As the 2025 Masters approaches, the question remains whether his struggles at major tournaments will persist.

A Glimmer of Hope for Smith

Despite a long spell without wins and mixed results in recent years, there is hope for Smith. His best result in the ongoing 2024-25 schedule was a runner-up finish at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, but he has also had limited success, including just one top-20 finish in six events (LIV Golf Singapore). His placements have varied, showing T25 in Riyadh, 30th in Adelaide, and T20 in Hong Kong. Overall, the situation remains uncertain.

Interestingly, while his results are mixed, there is a positive trend in his scoring. Smith’s scores have improved—recording 69-68-66 in Hong Kong and a solid 67 in Singapore. With the Masters looming and a potentially enhanced form, could Smith challenge for his past glories once more? Given the competition from Rory McIlroy and a new wave of golfers, time will tell. Certain courses, like Augusta National and links courses for The Open, could highlight Smith’s strengths, especially if creativity and shot-making come into play. What do you think? Is Smith poised for a comeback in traditional leagues? Share your views in the comments below.