Cameron Smith has taken aim at critics who ridiculed his decision to leave the PGA Tour and sign a massive-money deal with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series after winning his first tournament in Chicago on Sunday.
The Australian made the jump to LIV in August, signing a deal worth a reported €143million and admitted that money was the main reason behind his decision, along with LIV's reduced schedule. And after winning the Series' fifth event by three strokes to bank €4m in prize money, more than the €2.5m he earned for winning the Open Championship in March, Smith hit out at those who suggested he would lose his competitive edge due to the money on offer.
"I think I had to prove to probably myself and some other people that I am still a great player, you know I am still out here to win golf tournaments," Smith said. "Proud of how I hung in there today. Didn't really have my best stuff the first eight or nine holes but stuck it tough and made a few good putts coming in. It was nice."
