In a stunning revelation, Cameron Smith has opened up about the pivotal moment Greg Norman called him after his historic Open Championship victory at St Andrews to persuade him to join LIV Golf.

Just two years ago, Smith became one of the golfing greats to leave the PGA Tour to join the lucrative ranks of LIV in a staggering £80million deal, following his rise to the summit as world number two and new champion of the prestigious tournament. Golf house.

The Australian revealed in an interview with Straight Talk with Mark Bouris: “There was a lot of movement on the Tour at that time, and agents were coming to you,” adding that Norman’s phone call came after the Open victory, with the two men sharing a good relationship.

“And then I remember it was after the Open, Greg called me and we had a really good conversation. I talked to some really good friends that I knew I could lean on in the ‘space.”

Expressing the cumbersome decision-making process, Smith said: “Then as a team we just decided to go for it.”

He acknowledged the high registration fees associated with LIV Golf membership, but also admitted other critical reasons behind his decision, including career security which, when confirmed by his confidants, led him to take the plunge.

Smith said: “I talked to a lot of people,” emphasizing above all the need to be assured of one’s professional future.

“I mean, am I going to be able to play golf professionally? It was so fresh at the beginning, we didn’t know if it was going to last a year or if, as we know, it was just a dream was the biggest question. The second was playing less golf and spending more time in Australia was really important.

“The third was the business decision and that was a pretty big number to drop. I get to play golf for the rest of my life as a professional, doing what I love in Australia. Supporting junior golf and the golf in Australia and I have the chance to spend more time here. It was a no-brainer.”

Since making this lucrative move, Smith has enjoyed great success on the LIV Golf Tour, winning the tour three times individually during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Despite failing to capture a fourth individual crown in 2024, Smith and his Ripper GC teammates finished the year by winning the team championship in Dallas in the season finale in September.