Cameron Smith has aimed a dig at critics who ridiculed his decision to leave the PGA Tour and sign a big-money deal with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series after winning his first tournament in Chicago on Sunday.
Smith made the jump to LIV last month, signing a deal worth a reported $143million (£125m) and admitted that money was the main reason behind his decision, along with LIV's reduced schedule. And after winning LIV's fifth event by three strokes to bank $4m (£3.5m) in prize money, more than the $2.5m (£2.2m) 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."
