The good news is Cameron Smith’s stunning 2022, which included his major breakthrough at the British Open as one of three wins and a rise to world No.2, has been recognised by the PGA Tour.
The bad news is the award Smith has been nominated for, the PGA Tour player of the year, is voted on by PGA Tour players, many of whom have expressed significant opposition to the LIV Golf series, which the Queenslander is now firmly embedded in.
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Smith’s nomination, along with FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, came just a day after he picked up just short of $1.5m for coming fourth at his opening LIV event in Boston.
It also comes after Smith and all the latest batch of LIV converts, including fellow Aussie Marc Leishman, were suspended from the PGA Tour.
The winner of the player of the year is chosen by a vote of tour members who played in at least 15 FedEx Cup events, including McIlroy, arguably the most outspoken player against LIV.
McIlroy, who has already won the award three times, also won the Tour Championship in 2022. Although he didn’t win a major, McIlroy finished in the top eight in all four, coming second at the Masters and third at the Open.
Scheffler, who tied for second behind McIlroy in that event, won the Masters and came second at the US Open. He also won three other times in his rise to world No.1.
Voting for the award closes at the end of this week, with the winner announced at a later date.
