Cameron Smith reveals he thought LIV and PGA golf merger was a ‘joke’ ahead of US Open

Cameron Smith says he remains in the dark about the future of LIV Golf and he thought the news of golf’s shock merger last week was a joke when he first heard it.

In Los Angeles for this week’s US Open, and speaking for the first time since the announcement of the agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which backs LIV Golf, Smith conceded there was still ‘a lot of stuff to work out’ in golf’s new world.

The British Open champion revealed he got a call from Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who brokered the deal with PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan.

Aussie LIV star Cameron Smith revealed he thought the bombshell merger that shocked the golfing world was initially a ‘joke’

Smith, left, pictured with LIV Golf boss Greg Norman, conceded there was still a lot to be sorted out in the wake of the merger

Saudi magnate Yasir al-Rumayyan (pictured) hasn’t provided a lot of clarity on golf moving forward, according to Smith 

But Smith said Al-Rumayyan gave no clarity on LIV’s future amid reports Monahan could have the power to dissolve LIV, which Smith joined last year for a reported $140m.

‘I guess the first reaction was I thought it was kind of a joke that had come out, and then (Al-Rumayyan) gave me a call and kind of explained what was going on,’ Smith said at his press conference in LA.

‘He didn’t really explain too much. I think there’s still a lot of stuff to be worked out, and as time goes on, we’ll get to know more and more. But there are definitely a lot of curious players, I think, on both sides as to what the future is going to look like.

‘I think he was probably calling a few different players, so the call was kind of short and sweet. He kind of, I guess, didn’t really explain much but just kind of explained what was going to happen on that day, and there was still a lot of stuff to work out.’

LIV boss Greg Norman has reportedly told all staff that it’s ‘business as usual’ and to keep preparing for the rest of 2023 as well as 2024 and 2025.

LIV Golf boss Greg Norman says the rebel tour will continue and won’t be dissolved under the PGA banner

But Norman’s own future remains the subject of speculation and while the rest of this year is expected to continue, LIV’s future beyond 2023 remains clouded.

That’s the case for Smith, who captains the all-Australian Ripper GC team in the LIV series.

‘I really know as much as you guys know, to be honest,’ Smith said.

‘I haven’t been told much at all; I’m just taking it as it goes along.

‘I guess if anything comes up, I’ll let you guys know, but for the moment it’s just trying to play the best golf I can and trying to win a US Open.’

Smith practices at the LA Country Club on Sunday ahead of the US Open

Fellow LIV star Sergio Garcia told Sky Sports in LA that he also didn’t have much information but was preparing for a different future.

‘I wish I could tell you more, but unfortunately I don’t know much, and I guess things will come out as everything settles,’ Garcia said.

‘At the end of the day, we’re probably where we should have been from the beginning and it’s better for everyone, so that’s the most important thing.

‘If there’s no LIV Golf, I have to go somewhere! We’ll see.’

Smith will play the opening rounds in LA with defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick.