Regardless of the PGA Tour opening up the potential for a comeback, Cameron Smith is staying put.
The Australian LIV Golf star instructed reporters on Wednesday morning AEDT from LIV Golf’s media week in Florida that he won’t be following Brooks Koepka again to the PGA Tour.
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“I’m going to remain, mate,” Smith stated. “I’ve decided to return right here and I’m standing by it.
“I’m actually excited for 2026. I feel our workforce goes to have among the finest years but and I can’t wait to see what we’re going to do on the golf course.”
The golf world was despatched right into a spin on Tuesday AEDT as Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour was confirmed by way of the announcement of the brand new ‘Returning Members Program’ which prolonged the olive department to Smith in addition to Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm because of them being main winners and/or a Gamers Championship winner because the males’s skilled sport break up in 2022.
The trio got a deadline of February 2 by the PGA Tour to use for reinstatement.
For Smith, going again was by no means a severe dialog, nevertheless.
“No,” he replied when requested if the temptation was actual.
“I’ve made by mattress and I’m going to sleep in it.
“I really feel like I’m in a very good place in my profession and my life, household life, and I don’t want to alter it.”
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There have been experiences out of Spain that Rahm has no intentions of leaving LIV, whereas DeChambeau has had some enjoyable with the dilemma on social media, posting an Instagram story asking his followers, ‘what would you do?’.
He additionally raised eyebrows in an interview with Right now’s Golfer, saying: “I’ve obtained a contract this yr and that’s simply going to be an ever-evolving dialog.
“Hopefully, I’m again subsequent yr. I’m excited for the potential of LIV.
“It simply has to make sense for either side, and we’ll transfer ahead in a cool path if that’s the case. I definitely don’t wish to let [my Crushers GC teammates] down.
DeChambeau added: “I do not know what’s going to occur in a yr, however what I can let you know is that we’ll do the whole lot potential to make it make sense for either side.”
Smith didn’t disclose whether or not or not he’s conscious of his colleagues’ intentions, though he did trace that he expects them each to remain.
“I can’t converse for the opposite guys, actually, to be trustworthy. I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Smith stated.
“I feel we’ve got it fairly good out right here and I’ve made my determination. I can solely assume that there’s might be very comparable.
“However like I stated, I can’t touch upon what they’re going to do.”
The Australian additionally shared his disappointment at Koepka’s determination, saying the five-time main champion’s loss might be felt, however LIV will push on.
“Is it a disgrace to have him go? Completely, he’s a star of the sport,” Smith stated.
“I feel beginning 2026 we’re nonetheless going to have the perfect area that LIV’s ever had, so on one facet I’m unhappy to see him go.
“He’s a superb good friend and yeah, it’s not good, and on the opposite facet I’m actually trying ahead to what we’re doing out right here and we’re going to have the strongest area we’ve ever had.”
Brooks Koepka quits LIV, returns to PGA | 01:26
Smith was joined by Ripper GC teammates Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert within the press convention and the trio admitted that they may no deal with the experiences that rising star Elvis Smylie is ready to turn out to be the brand new fourth member of the all-Australian workforce.
However Leishman did talk about the affect of his captain’s present of religion in his Ripper workforce and the LIV product.
The breakaway league’s hierarchy might be relieved that subsequent month’s Adelaide occasion will keep it’s major drawcard on the golf course, however Leishman believes there was by no means any want for any nerves about his nice mate’s subsequent transfer.
“I wouldn’t say both of us have been stunned to listen to him say that,” Leishman instructed reporters.
“It doesn’t matter what you hear about LIV Golf, it’s a terrific place to play. It’s actually aggressive. We’ve got quite a lot of enjoyable.
“I’ve smiled extra within the final 4 years than I’ve in fairly a couple of years earlier than that. I’ve obtained the wrinkles to show it.
“I wasn’t stunned in any respect that he’s staying. Clearly it’s an enormous loss with Brooks however that’s his determination. I’m positive he had his causes for it, however I might have been stunned if Cam had have stated something totally different, having spent the final 4 years with him out right here.”
Outdoors of LIV’s present 11 occasion schedule for this yr, Smith’s determination means his future stays clouded.
Time is working out on his five-year exemption into all 4 majors following his 2022 Open Championship triumph at St Andrews, whereas his hopes of a second Olympic look are successfully lifeless within the water if LIV can’t acquire world rating factors.
Smith’s present rating stands at 207, having jumped up greater than 150 locations courtesy of his second place end finally month’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.
His rating suffered from lacking the reduce in all 4 majors final yr, however having been as excessive as second on the planet earlier than leaping ship to LIV Golf, it’s not a good reflection of the 32-year-old’s potential.
Neither is it wherever close to adequate to earn a significant begin as soon as his exemption lapses.
LIV are nonetheless working arduous to acquire Official World Golf Rankings with their transfer to four-round, 72-hole tournaments this yr the important thing driver, however it stays to be scene whether or not they are going to be given a big increase.
“Hopefully, 72 holes helps us get world rating factors,” Herbert stated.
“It’s been a tough battle over the previous couple of years. We’ve been in and we’ve been out, and we’re again in with wanting the factors.
“I feel it’s the best choice for us, clearly qualifying for the majors, but in addition being part of the golf ecosystem.
“Having our gamers ranked appropriately on the planet rankings, I feel it’s an necessary factor.”