LIV Golf has made another huge move, adding Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann to their growing list of golfers.
The additions come right after the conclusion of the PGA TOUR season. The timing of the news and the stature of both golfers add more credibility to the Saudi-backed league.
Smith and Niemann’s first tournament with LIV Golf will be this weekend at The International in Boston. They are already listed as two of the betting favorites going into the event.
2022 LIV Golf Boston Odds
Smith was one of the favorites to win the FedEx Cup last weekend but fizzled out as the tournament progressed. The star golfer had an incredible season on tour, winning both the Open Championship and the Players Championship, and finishing tied for third place at The Masters.
Despite Smith's overall performance this season, his struggles in the latter part of last week's finale mitigated his earlier success. Smith finished in 20th place in the overall PGA Tour standings.
"If he happens to go, he would be the biggest loss in my mind because you look at his age and what he's accomplished," PGA star Billy Horschel said of Cameron Smith's move to LIV Golf, via ESPN. "Look at the person he is. He's a great kid and represents himself very well, and he does it the right way. If he happens to go, it would be the biggest loss because I'm biased. He's one of my best friends."
LIV Golf said that all six players who joined this week (Smith, Niemann, Harold Varner III, Cameron Triangle, Marc Leishman and Anirban Lahiri) will compete in Boston this weekend.
"LIV Golf is showing the world that our truly global league is attracting the world's best players and will grow the game into the future for the next generation," LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman said in a statement. "The best and the brightest continue to embrace the excitement and energy of LIV Golf and what we're building: a tangible league for team golf that will connect with new audiences all over the globe. We can't wait to tee off this week at The International and deliver another memorable event experience for fans."
