Fans Argue Over Cameron Smith’s PLAYERS Championship Playing Status: “Got a Boat Load of Cash To Go”

Mar 10, 2026, 2:30 PM CUT

GOLF AUSTRALIAN PGA, Golf Herren Cameron Smith of Australia looks on during the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane, Queensland, Thursday, November 27, 2025. NO ARCHIVING Brisbane Queensland Australia PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xx 20251127190778694741

Cameron Smith won the Open Championship and THE PLAYERS Championship in 2022. These victories should make him eligible to play at TPC Sawgrass in 2026.

However, his current affiliation with LIV Golf has voided his eligibility, and fans are still talking about it.

A user on X, Pro Golf Critic, shared a montage of Smith on the course and wrote, “Cam Smith deserves the opportunity to defend his 🏆 in his [Ripper GC] gear soon. 💯#ThePlayers”

But what made Smith decline the PGA Tour’s offer despite knowing the consequences? Smith had a different set of priorities that didn’t align with a return to the PGA Tour.

Talking to Today’s Golfer, Smith said, “I feel like I’m in a really good place in my career and my family life. I don’t need to change it.”

Stating his decision to stay at LIV Golf, he said, “I’ve made a decision to come here and I’m standing by it.”

That decision came after he prioritized spending more time at home. And he refused to give that perk away.

Along with Brooks Koepka, Smith, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau were also offered a return ticket to the PGA Tour via the Returning Member Program. But the three LIV Golf stars preferred to stay in the Saudi-backed league.

Even if Smith returns to the PGA Tour in 2026, he might have to go through a suspension. And by the time he enters the course, his exemption into THE PLAYERS Championship would have expired.

Fans shared mixed reactions over Cameron Smith's decision

One fan took to the comments and wrote, “He left and was banned. People were offered a chance to comeback. Listen it s**** him not being there, but he got a boat load of cash to go. Now he is paying the consequences.”

One fan commented, “He made his choice. He knew the consequences. Nobody told him to get greedy and lazy and take LIV's money.”

Another wrote, “Opportunity long past. Who knows, he may have chance to play in future but it won’t be as defending champion.”

Nevertheless, many others were upset by Smith’s absence at TPC Sawgrass.

One fan commented, “That's a big price to pay so the PGA Tour can claim The Players as a Major Championship. I get it, but....”

Meanwhile, another fan wrote, “I agree. Miss watching him. Let him play!”

What do you think about the whole situation regarding Cameron Smith? Let us know in the comments!