LIV Golf star calls on Olympic Games to change rules due to Cameron Smith
Cam Smith’s chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics are uncertain due to his drop in the world rankings, but one of his LIV Golf teammates has called for changes to the qualifying process.
LIV golf star Marc Leishman has called for changes to the Olympic qualification system, with former Open champion Cam Smith at risk of being left out.
Lieshman and Smith last represented Australia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Three years later, with LIV Golf still unrecognized in the official world golf rankings, the Australians could be changing their guard.
The top two players from each country will qualify for next summer’s competition at Le Golf Nacional, home of the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris. Despite establishing himself as his country’s best golfer in recent years, Smith’s move to the LIV last August put his chances of representing his country in jeopardy as the country’s history continues without a place in the rankings world. Like many other Rebels players, Smith fell out of favor during his time in the Breakaway League. The Australian entered the LIV rankings as the second-best player in the world but fell to 20th after competing in seven OWGR-sanctioned events, including four majors in 2023. Leishman called for the goalposts to be moved for to allow Smith to return to the Olympic podium. “It’s very difficult for me [Leishman]. I don’t think I’ll be able to go [to the Olympics]. But I hope they can do something so that Cam [Smith] can play,” Leishman told Nine.com. “I hope Cam doesn’t go down in the world rankings because I think he’s the best golfer in Australia right now and he deserves to play in the Olympics.”
Smith and Leishman are back in DP World Tour action after returning home to compete in the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane last week. A return to the tour could give the Australian duo some much-needed ranking points, but surprisingly tournament favorite Smith could not take advantage.
The defending champion missed the cut by seven shots a week later at Royal Queensland after shooting 9 over the first 36 holes. “Australia have been so good to me, there’s no reason to do this,” said an emotional Smith. You do not agree. “It is. Don’t ask questions. Damn it. I’ve played under pressure before, which was unacceptable and actually made me a bit nervous. I know what I’m doing. It’s different to go out and do something.” Meanwhile, Leishman finished third in Sunday’s final round. The Australian shot 20 under par in the fourth round, four shots behind eventual champion Lee Min-woo, who proved to be the star of the show in Brisbane. Lee could replace Smith and Leishman in Australia’s Olympic team. The 25-year-old’s victory took him to 38th in the world, his highest ranking to date. Lee was one of the hottest prospects on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour last year, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he moves up the rankings next month. Smith is currently the highest-ranked Australian golfer in the world at 20th, but behind Jason Day at 21st. Elsewhere, of course, Lee is ranked 38th, while Cam Davis and Adam Scott rounded out the top 50 at 43rd and 47th, respectively.
