HONG KONG – Cameron Smith’s defection to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf circuit is the biggest blow yet to the US PGA and European Tours in a power struggle threatening to rip the sport apart.
Before the capture of the 29-year-old world number two on Tuesday, LIV Golf had been derided as a place for players past their prime to swell their pension funds.
No longer. Australia’s Smith is enjoying the best year of his career and is one of the biggest draws in golf after winning the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July for his first major.
The colourful Smith, who sports a mullet and moustache, will make his LIV debut in…