Cameron Smith could be the biggest loser of all if LIV Golf is shut down

Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

Cameron Smith has suffered a remarkable drop in recent years, with his worrying form typified by his missed cut at The Masters.

Smith has since continued his struggles back on LIV Golf, finishing in a tie for 39th place in Mexico City last week.

He certainly wasn’t the only LIV Golf player to struggle at Augusta National, with just five of their 10 starters making the weekend.

But very worrying for the Australian, Smith missed a sixth major cut in a row, highlighting his disastrous form on the biggest stage.

Smith may, however, have an even bigger reason to be concerned if LIV Golf is shut down amid speculation of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) ending its funding of the league.

Cameron Smith could be the biggest loser if LIV Golf is shut down

Before such concerns arrived, the PGA Tour offered a handful of LIV Golf stars the opportunity to make a dramatic comeback.

Smith, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm were all given the chance to return, but only one accepted.

Five-time major champion Koepka made the decision to come back, which now looks to be a fantastic move, with his latest venture involving a partnership with Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

With the deadline having now passed, it remains to be seen if another offer will be made available, but it seems that Smith will miss out more than anyone if not.

Rahm currently leads the LIV Golf individual standings and is clearly impressing on the course right now, and he was one of the few to make the cut at Augusta.

Meanwhile, DeChambeau could rely on filming content should his LIV Golf experience end, which looks like a viable option given his huge following on social media.

Smith has no such backup, while his lacklustre performances mean the Ripper GC captain is currently 23rd in the individual standings.

The Australian is a far cry from the player who won The Open Championship in 2022, and he could quickly be forgotten about like many other LIV golfers if their tour comes to an abrupt end.

Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images

Cameron Smith is in danger of quickly being forgotten about

A fantastic putting display helped Smith clinch the Claret Jug on the Old Course at St Andrews, and fortunately that is an area of his game that remains intact.

With a putting average of 1.51, he comfortably leads the way in the 2026 LIV Golf season, which should provide him with some form of comfort.

But overall it is a real shame to see such an exciting talent fade away, with his efforts having once taken him as high as the world number two ranking.

That has since dropped to 225th, which again is in stark contrast to a handful of the LIV Golf players who could still enjoy fantastic careers should the Saudi-backed tour stop.

Despite the major difficulties with Official World Golf Ranking points, Rahm and DeChambeau are both top 30 players, as is Tyrrell Hatton.

Read more:

Greg Norman predicts if LIV Golf can survive without Saudi funding

Brooks Koepka responds when asked about LIV Golf’s farcical current situation

Ian Poulter makes strong statement on Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour