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Following weeks of rumors, Cameron Smith has officially joined LIV Golf, headlining a group of six players who have been added to the rival upstart. Smith, the Champion Golfer of the Year and winner of the Players Championship — the PGA Tour’s flagship event — is LIV Golf’s biggest acquisition to date as the 29-year-old is just now entering the prime of his playing career.
The world No. 2 is not alone in his move from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf. Smith is accompanied by Cameron Tringale, Harold Varner III, Marc Leishman, Anirban Lahiri and, most notably, his former Presidents Cup teammate Joaquin Niemann. The young Chilean was a mainstay on leaderboards throughout the 2021-22 season on the PGA Tour and captured the greatest title of his career at the Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods in February.
The 23-year-old Niemann was reportedly firmly on the fence leading up to this decision. He was a participant in the PGA Tour players-only meeting the week of the BMW Championship and played practice rounds with the likes of Rory McIlroy ahead of the Tour Championship, where the two discussed his future. The world No. 19 traveled to the LIV Boston event without a contract in hand and was ultimately swayed to make the jump from the PGA Tour.
Originally thought to be seven new faces, presumed PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Cameron Young was rumored to round out the newcomers for the LIV Boston event. With sweeping changes made to the PGA Tour’s schedule and compensation, in addition to future participation in team events and majors championships being in question, the 25-year-old decided to stay put, however.
“Frankly, throughout the whole process with them I was very interested,” said Young. “I think they have a bunch of good ideas. I think they’re doing some cool stuff, and with some of those changes coming, that’s what really helped me decide to stay and pursue those goals that I have…
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Source : cbssports
