Cameron Smith Banned from PGA Tour and Misses Out on Players Championship Title Defense

Cameron Smith will not be able to defend his Players Championship title this weekend at TPC Sawgrass due to his affiliation with the LIV Golf League, which has resulted in his ban from the PGA Tour.^[0] Despite this, Smith still has his sights set on the tournament, telling Golf.com he would love to get out there and watch, walking around in the crowd.^[1]

Rory McIlroy commented on the situation, saying “Would it be better if the defending champion was here this week? Absolutely,” and that Smith made a decision that he knew would come with consequences.^[2] PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan believes that the field this week is still strong and that it will crown another deserving champion.^[3]

Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners both agree that the LIV Golf players won't be missed on the PGA Tour, as the focus is on the Players Championship. Smith has some free time coming up, as LIV Golf does not have another event until March 17.^[4] He will likely use this time to prepare for LIV Golf’s next event, and will have to figure out his own parking situation as TPC Sawgrass removed his reserved parking spot in the aftermath of his decision to join the controversial circuit.^[1]

0. “LIV Golfer Cam Smith wants to show up at PGA Tour event” Yardbarker, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.yardbarker.com/golf/articles/liv_golfer_cam_smith_wants_to_show_up_at_pga_tour_event/s1_13132_38546345

1. “Cam Smith Can't Defend His Title At The Players This Week, But May Show Up To TPC Sawgrass Anyway” OutKick , 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.outkick.com/cam-smith-the-players-show-up-as-fan

2. “Cameron Smith's absence at Players noted by PGA Tour stars” ESPN, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/35805871/cameron-smith-absence-players-noted-pga-tour-stars

3. “PGA Tour chief makes “awkward” Cam Smith admission as he discusses Players Championship” The Mirror, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/golf/pga-cameron-smith-players-championship-29398917

4. “Defending Players Champion Cam Smith Will Be “Fishing” During TPC Sawgrass Tournament Due To LIV Ban” Whiskey Riff, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2023/03/06/defending-players-champion-cameron-smith-will-be-fishing-during-tpc-sawgrass-tournament-due-to-liv-ban/