Australian golfer Cameron Smith has been heckled by fans during the third round of the US PGA Tour’s St. Jude Championship on Saturday (local time).
Smith, the 2022 British Open champion, has been again linked with a move to the controversial LIV Golf tour this week in a deal reportedly worth over $100 million.
The 28-year-old has refused to confirm or deny the rumours with his full focus on performing in St. Jude.
Smith, who continues to be questioned about LIV Golf, has been unable to escape the story on and off the golf course.
During the third round on Saturday, Smith had to deal with a number of fans critical of his reported defection, with one even branding him a “sellout”.
The reality of PGA Tour golf right now. Cam Smith, hitting his tee shot on 14, has a pretty large gallery following him. One man says “Let’s go Cam.” Another calls his mullet “pretty.” A third shouts “$100 million man.” Then yet another yells “sellout” loudest of all.
— Mark Giannotto (@mgiannotto) August 13, 2022
Despite the distraction, the Aussie managed to keep his focus to shoot a three-under 67 that leaves him just two shots off the overall lead held by J.J. Spaun (-13) going into the final round.
Victory at the opening PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs tournament would hand Smith the world number one ranking after Scottie Scheffler, who is currently in top spot, missed the cut on Friday.
“That’s been one of my goals probably since the start of the year is to try to get to that top spot. Try and chase it down,” Smith said.
On the increased distractions he’s faced this week, Smith added: “There’s definitely been a few more, but for me, I’m just trying to hit the best shot I can. That’s what I’m here to do is to hit good golf shots and make birdies.”
Smith was also at the centre of a first-round incident at the FedEx Cup Playoffs when Scheffler broke golf etiquette by walking across the Aussie’s line as he prepared to putt.
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