Cameron Smith packed two sets of clothes in case Augusta National cracks down on LIV golfers wearing team uniforms, as the Saudi-backed league’s players promoted their franchises on the first official practice day at the US Masters.
World No.5 Smith and Greg Norman’s biggest signings – Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Abraham Ancer – all wore LIV team logos in their first meeting with PGA Tour players since last year’s British Open.
Smith, who in an interview with the Herald last week about the LIV apparel said he “doesn’t want to step on any toes” at the year’s first major, wore his Ripper Golf Club logo on his right sleeve alongside personal sponsors at Augusta on Tuesday morning (AEST).
The Open champion confirmed LIV players were contractually obliged to wear franchise logos, and said he had prepared in case Augusta banned the uniforms.
“I have another set of clothes made up this week without the [LIV team logos],” said Smith, the only LIV golfer scheduled for a pre-tournament press conference.
“We haven’t really heard much from Augusta National about the logos, and I’m really proud of where I’m at and what I’m doing. Unless it’s a problem for these guys [Augusta National], I’m going to wear it.”
LIV golfers (from left) Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau all wore team logos during the first round of practice at the US Masters.
Smith and his fellow rebels didn’t wear the separate LIV Golf logo on their clothing and many played practice rounds with PGA Tour members at the start of Masters week.
While Smith fronted the media in Augusta’s giant interview room, fellow LIV golfers Johnson and DeChambeau held impromptu media calls at the end of practice sessions.
Koepka, who sported a plain white polo without his LIV Smash Golf Club logo, was in deep discussion with Jon Rahm on the range.
Asked about the reaction from PGA Tour professionals at Augusta, Smith said: “I wasn’t really sure [what to expect] to be honest. I was just kind of letting it all kind of happen naturally.
Jon Rahm talks with Brooks Koepka on the practice range.Credit:Getty
“I went out onto the range and did my stuff, and did my work and it was just a really nice experience. I didn’t want to expect too much but, at the same time, I kind of wanted that, not only for myself but just for the game of golf.
“I think there’s a lot of stuff going on at the moment that doesn’t need to be going on, especially in the media.”
DeChambeau added: “Scottie [Scheffler], I gave him a hug. Haven’t seen him in a long time. Sam [Burns], same thing. Everybody has been fantastic. I’ve had no issues”
Former Masters winner Fred Couples has been one of LIV – and Smith’s – biggest critics, but said he had no issue with the golfers themselves, rather their attitude towards the PGA Tour.
“I have no problem with any of them, just please do not bash a Tour that I have 43 years invested in,” Couples said after a practice round with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
“It bothers the hell out of me. They [LIV rebels] don’t bother me. They really don’t. They’re golfers. I’m a golfer. I respect them all.
“On my [radio] show I’ve told everyone, Sergio is one of the top 10 players I’ve ever seen hit a ball, but if he’s going to make comments about the Tour that I play, I’m going to make a comment back, and if it’s offensive I apologise, but they’re on another tour. Go play and have a good time.”
Smith laughed off suggestions all 17 remaining LIV golfers in the Masters field would congregate around the 18th green if one of Norman’s signings wins the first major of 2023.
“There definitely hasn’t been a conversation with me,” said Smith, who has finished in the top-five three times at Augusta in the past five years.
“If there was one, I definitely got left out of that one.
“For sure I’d love to see one of us guys get up to the top of the leaderboard and really give it a nice shot.
“I think it’s just important for LIV guys to be up there because I think we need to be up there. I think there’s a lot of chatter about, ‘these guys, don’t play real golf; these guys don’t play real golf courses’.
“For sure, I’ll be the first one to say the fields aren’t as strong. I’m the first one to say that. But we’ve still got a lot of guys up there that can play some really serious golf, and we compete against each other hard, week in and week out, and we’re trying to do the same things that we did six months ago.
“I’m confident that I can win.”
Augusta will announce the pairings for the first two rounds on Wednesday (AEST).
