LIV Golf star fires back at critics after Masters adds fuel to PGA Tour theory

Cam Smith finished tied-sixth at Augusta (Image: Getty Images)

Cameron Smith has hit back at the notion that PGA Tour players hold a competitive advantage over LIV Golf competitors. He labelled such claims as 'BS' after his commendable performance at the recent Masters tournament.

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Smith emerged as the top-performing LIV Golf player at Augusta, tying for sixth place with Bryson DeChambeau at two-under-par. Another LIV member, Tyrrell Hatton, also made an impression by finishing tied for ninth at level-par.

Despite their efforts, the LIV Golf contingent didn't dominate the Masters leaderboard as they had previously, with last year seeing Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, and Patrick Reed all in the top five.

While competing at the prestigious Georgia venue, Smith dismissed the idea that PGA Tour players are superior. “No. No, that’s BS," Smith said when asked if LIV had less competitive advantage than PGA Tour rivals, according to FOX Sports Australia.

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Cameron Smith hit back at LIV Golf's critics (Image: Getty)

Shortly after their notable presence at the 2023 Masters, the LIV players celebrated a major victory when Koepka clinched the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, with both Smith and DeChambeau finishing in the top-10.

The debate was sparked by Sir Nick Faldo, a six-time major winner, who questioned Jon Rahm's chances of retaining the green jacket after his move to LIV Golf for 2024. "I think he feels that [lack of intensity]," Faldo commented on the Sky Sports Golf podcast before the event.

"I know that he made comments about watching Riviera [Genesis Invitational] and thought he wished he was there. I thought The Players was good and I bet he wished he was in there. He has been playing resort courses in shorts for the past couple of months and hasn't really been tested yet.

"He's a hell of a player, but he's going to have to make a little bit of effort to step it up and get the right intensity. Whether coming into defend you can do it, or whether he's just not quite sharp enough because he hasn't tested himself quite as much, we'll have to wait and see." 

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When it comes to being able to defend the title, Faldo was correct, with Rahm out of contention throughout the week. The 2023 champion marked his Augusta return by finishing in a tie for 45th at nine-over.

Rahm showed his frustrations in the aftermath, having discussed the difficulty of having to present new champion Scottie Scheffler with his green jacket at the tournament presentation following his own poor showing.

"It's been nice to have some receptions walking up to some tees no matter what my score was and seeing the appreciation," he said on Sunday. "But when you don't have your best week, it's not that - it's hard to have to stay now to put the jacket on somebody else and never really ever have a chance." 

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