Smith: 'A little unfair' LIV golfers don't get world ranking points

Aug 25, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cameron Smith on the 1st green during the first round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament. Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Smith: 'Perhaps a little unfair' that LIV golfers don't get world ranking points

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/1/22

World No. 2 Cameron Smith made his expected move to the LIV Golf Series official on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he spoke about the decision, as well as one of his gripes with a specific punishment that has been handed down to LIV golfers.

Smith said it was unfair that LIV golfers weren't receiving world ranking points and he hopes that changes before his exemption into golf's four majors expires. The 29-year-old earned exemption into the four majors for at least the next five years with his 1-shot win at the 150th Open Championship in July.

"It's really a shame that we are not getting world ranking points out here," Smith said. "To have 48 of the best guys around the world playing, and not to get world ranking points, is perhaps a little bit unfair. ... It's still super competitive out here. I just really think it's a little bit unfair."

Smith will be making his debut for the controversial breakaway league at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston from Friday to Sunday.

LIV Golf's application to the Official World Golf Ranking board -- which consists of representatives from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, USGA, R&A, PGA of America and Augusta National -- is currently under review.

"I hope that these world ranking points will sort themselves out before my exemption is up," the Australian said. "To the fans of major championship golf, it may be a little bit unfair on them. I think majors is about having the best guys in the best field on the best golf courses. Hopefully we can sort that out."

The CEO of the LIV Golf Series is former two-time major victor Greg Norman and is backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. When talking about his much-criticized defect away from the PGA Tour, Smith said "This is a new kind of chapter in my life. I think this is the future of golf. I love how it is out here."

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