PGA Tour faces awkward scenario with LIV Golf rebel Cameron Smith up for big award

The PGA Tour could well be left red-faced with LIV Golf rebel Cameron Smith up for the American-based circuit's Player of The Year award. The Australian made the controversial decision to join the Saudi-backed circuit following the end of a remarkably impressive season on the PGA Tour.

Smith has been at the centre of golf's civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV, following his recent move. The two rival circuit's have been locked in battle since LIV began to lure away players from the American-based tour earlier this summer.

Despite swapping his allegiances though, Smith could well still be named the PGA Tour's best player of 2022 after being nominated alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy.

There is no doubt his efforts on the course in 2022 make him a worthy nomination for the Player of The Year award. In 2022, Smith won an impressive three PGA Tour titles including two of the biggest on offer.

The Australian took home the Tour's flagship event in the Players Championship after seeing off fellow LIV rebel Anirban Lahiri back in March. Smith then took home golf's most historic trophy, as he collected his maiden major title by winning the Open Championship at St Andrews this summer.

Smith is up for the award against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler (Getty Images)

Since his win at the Home of Golf though, it has been a controversial few weeks for the world No. 2. Just moments after his Open triumph, Smith fumed at a reporter after being asked whether he was set to join LIV Golf.

Despite initially brushing the idea off, the Australian's controversial move to the Saudi-backed series was confirmed just over a month later. The Aussie star competed at the PGA Tour's final event of the campaign at the Tour Championship at the end of August, where he finished the FedEx Cup in 20th.

Just one week later the world No. 2 was out making his LIV Golf debut in Boston, finishing a shot behind a three-way tie at the top between Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann and Lahiri. In the end it was Johnson who claimed the £3.5 million prize after sinking an eagle putt on the opening play-off hole.