Cameron Smith Would 100% Return to PGA Tour if LIV Golf Folds

Cameron Smith, the Australian captain of LIV Golf’s Ripper GC, has made his clearest statement yet on the future of the breakaway league, acknowledging he would “100%” return to the PGA Tour if LIV Golf folds. If it was the only option, I think that’s where everyone would want to be for sure, 100%, Smith said ahead of the LIV Golf New York event. His remarks mark a shift for a staunch LIV supporter, who signed a $140 million contract to join the league in 2022 and has consistently defended its model.

Smith’s Dual Loyalty: LIV’s Future vs. PGA Return

Smith, who leads the all-Australian Ripper GC team, emphasized his desire for LIV to endure, citing its impact on Australian golf. I want it to work, really, to be honest. It’s great fun out here, he said. The league’s Adelaide event in February drew over 115,000 fans, the highest attendance for a golf tournament in Australia. However, Smith also acknowledged the financial uncertainty facing LIV, which lost Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) backing after this season. I don’t really understand what is going to happen. I think it’s all up in the air, he said.

The Public Investment Fund’s decision to halt support has left LIV scrambling for new funding. Despite the challenges, Smith said the team is working hard behind the scenes to secure next year’s events, including the scheduled Team Championship in Michigan.

PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program: A Path Back?

Smith’s potential return to the PGA Tour is tied to the league’s Returning Member Program, which allows players who left for LIV to rejoin under strict conditions. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp outlined the rules, requiring players to have won major tournaments between 2022 and 2025. Only three LIV players—Smith, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau—qualified under the program, which closed in February. However, the PGA Tour has not indicated whether the program will be renewed if LIV collapses.

Smith’s comments come as LIV faces broader instability. The league has reportedly issued 30-day termination notices to staff, and the Team Championship in Michigan is in doubt. Smith, however, remains optimistic. We had a great year there last year in Detroit, and we’re hoping we get back there, he said, referencing the season-ending event. Yet he admitted, I feel like we’re well-informed, but I feel like a lot of it is still up in the air.

The Financial Tightrope: LIV’s Survival and Player Uncertainty

LIV’s financial troubles extend beyond PIF’s withdrawal. The league has struggled to attract new investors.

Despite these challenges, Smith remains committed to LIV, at least for now. I’m contracted to the end of next year, so I was expecting to play until the end of next year and renegotiate, he said. I’m a positive guy, so I’ve made no effort to go seek anything else. His stance contrasts with other players like Brooks Koepka, who recently returned to the PGA Tour.

What’s Next for LIV and Its Players?

The coming weeks will determine LIV’s fate. Players are preparing for the New York event, but the league’s future remains uncertain. Smith, for his part, is focused on the immediate: We’ll see what happens. If LIV collapses, the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program offers a path back, but it comes with restrictions. For now, Smith’s message is clear: he wants LIV to survive, but he’s not ruling out a return to the PGA Tour.

As the league navigates this crossroads, the stakes are high for players, fans, and the future of golf. Whether LIV can secure new funding or if its players will seek refuge on the PGA Tour remains to be seen—but for Smith, the choice is already clear: If it was the only option, I think that’s where everyone would want to be for sure.