Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Cameron Smith has acknowledged that LIV Golf may need major changes as uncertainty grows around the future of the breakaway league. Speaking ahead of LIV Golf’s event in Spain, the Australian star suggested the enormous prize money that defined the league’s launch may no longer be sustainable. The comments matter because they represent one of the clearest admissions yet from a high profile LIV player that the current model could be changing significantly.
The former Open champion said reducing prize purses would not affect his commitment to LIV Golf despite signing one of the sport’s biggest contracts after joining the league.
Smith joined LIV shortly after winning The Open Championship at St Andrews in 2022 on a deal reportedly worth around US$150 million.
Smith admits changes are likely coming
Each LIV Golf event currently offers a US$30 million prize pool.
However, reports in April suggested Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund would only guarantee funding through the end of the current season after reportedly losing more than US$5 billion on the project.
That has intensified speculation about what LIV Golf could look like beyond 2026.
Asked whether smaller prize money would change his commitment, Smith suggested golf may need to return closer to previous financial structures.
“This has been an awesome four or five years for us golfers, for everyone around the world,” Smith said.
“It’s changed a lot of things, but I think realistically, it’s time for everything to come back to the way it was.”
He also admitted current spending levels may have gone too far.
“It was obviously not working, and it’s pretty far fetched, realistically.”
Smith expects significant changes to arrive as early as next season.
Team golf remains central to LIV future
One area Smith believes LIV should continue developing is its team based structure.
The team concept has divided opinion since LIV launched, with critics arguing it lacks tradition while supporters believe it creates a unique product.
Smith, captain of all Australian side Ripper GC, argued the team format has already proven successful in certain markets.
“I feel as though we really have to lean into the team stuff,” Smith said.
He pointed to positive fan engagement in Australia, South Africa, Korea and other parts of Asia.
Smith suggested building further around team competition may provide LIV with a stronger long term identity.
The comments arrive as speculation continues over possible future schedules and competition formats.
Recent rumours suggested LIV could move toward fewer events with greater emphasis on marquee tournaments and team competitions.
Rahm distances himself from business discussions
While Smith openly discussed the league future, Jon Rahm took a different approach.
The Spanish star said he had no involvement in conversations around LIV survival or future investment plans.
“I know nothing about business,” Rahm said.
“My job is to play golf.”
Rahm comments underline a divide between players willing to publicly discuss LIV future and those preferring to focus solely on competition.
Despite uncertainty surrounding funding and investment, LIV continues operating with full schedules and major player commitments.
PGA Tour pushes ahead with structural reform
As LIV faces questions, the PGA Tour continues developing plans for significant changes of its own.
PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp said substantial progress had been made toward a new competition model expected to launch by 2028.
The proposed structure would create two distinct pathways.
Track one would feature top events with elite players competing more frequently.
Track two would provide opportunities for progression into the higher tier.
Rolapp emphasised restoring competitive consequences to professional golf.
“I think we have lost a lot of that with the smaller fields, no cut events,” Rolapp said.
He argued merit based competition remains one of golf strongest qualities and suggested future reforms would focus heavily on restoring that principle.
The PGA Tour policy board is scheduled to meet again later this month as discussions continue.
What comes next for LIV
LIV Golf remains in a period of uncertainty.
The league transformed professional golf through enormous signing bonuses and prize money but now faces difficult questions around sustainability.
Smith comments suggest even players who benefited most from the financial boom recognise change may be necessary.
Whether those changes involve smaller purses, fewer events, expanded team formats or new investment structures remains unclear.
What appears increasingly certain is that LIV Golf next chapter may look very different from the version that disrupted the sport four years ago.