Open champion Cameron Smith ‘signs ‘£83m deal to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf’

OPEN Champion Cameron Smith has reported joined the Saudi-backed rebel LIV Golf tour, in a deal worth £83million.

World No2 Smith, 28, won The Open at the home of golf St Andrews just weeks ago. 

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But The Daily Telegraph reports he will quit the US PGA Tour and has signed for the LIV Golf rebels, which is backed by the Saudi royal family.

Smith, who is famous for his mullet hairdo, will reportedly continue to play for on the PGA Tour as he is one of the favourites for the £15m first prize on offer in the FedEx standings. 

But he will pocket a guaranteed £83m by signing for the breakaway LIV Golf circuit, following the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.

A formal announcement is not expected until the three-week FedEx Cup play-off series has finished in America.

Smith will then play at LIV’s International in Boston from September 2.

Smith recently told reporters ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship:  “You know, my goal here is to win the FedExCup Playoffs.

“That’s all Im here for. If there’s something I need to say regarding the PGA Tour or LIV, it’ll come from Cameron Smith, not Cameron Percy.

“I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys need to know anything, itll be said by me.”

LIV Golf members Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones will not be allowed to play in this week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship after losing their case for a temporary restraining order in court.

District Judge Beth Labson Freeman heard the case and ruled in favour of the PGA Tour, which had filed a filed a motion in federal court to keep the three suspended players from competing in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson was last month sacked from the job for taking a £40m deal to join LIV Golf, along with other European stars like Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.