Open champion Cameron Smith, five others leave PGA Tour for LIV Golf

ATLANTA — As Billy Horschel approached the 18th green in Sunday’s final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, he couldn’t help but wonder whether it was the last time he’d play with his good friend, Cameron Smith, on the PGA Tour.

Horschel and Smith both live in Ponte Vedra, Florida. They play golf together and go offshore fishing during their free time.

“If he happens to go, he would be the biggest loss in my mind because you look at his age and what he’s accomplished,” Horschel said. “Look at the person he is. He’s a great kid and represents himself very well, and he does it the right way. If he happens to go, it would be the biggest loss because I’m biased. He’s one of my best friends.”

Smith, 29, is leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, the new circuit announced Tuesday. Smith is No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking and won the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews in July. Chile’s Joaquin Niemann (the 19th-ranked player in the world), Harold Varner III (No. 46), Cameron Tringale (No. 55), Australia’s Marc Leishman (No. 62) and India’s Anirban Lahiri (No. 92) are also joining LIV Golf, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

LIV Golf said the six players will compete in its fourth event, which starts Friday at The International outside Boston.

“LIV Golf is showing the world that our truly global league is attracting the world’s best players and will grow the game into the future for the next generation,” LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman said in a statement. “The best and the brightest continue to embrace the excitement and energy of LIV Golf and what we’re building: a tangible league for team golf that will connect with new audiences all over the globe. We can’t wait to tee off this week at The International and deliver another memorable event experience for fans.”

Smith is the biggest loss for the PGA Tour. The Australian is in the prime of his career, having won The Players in March and his first…