It is, however, easy to point to what has gotten the sport to this overexposed spot in rather rapid fashion: LIV Golf.With the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) signing several players to reported nine-figure contracts while also playing limited, no-cut events beginning in 2022, it forced the PGA Tour to react with increased purses as well, and that ripple effect has only intensified over the last four years.Cameron Smith of Ripper GC plays his second shot on the 9th hole during day one of LIV Golf Korea at Asiad Country Club on May 28, 2026 in Busan, South Korea.(Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)GOLFER SMASHES CAR'S WINDSHIELD WITH TEE SHOT, GETS CONFRONTED BY CAR ON COURSE, THEN ACES VERY NEXT HOLEOne player who quickly jumped ship from the PGA Tour to LIV in 2022 was Cameron Smith.The Aussie reportedly signed a multi-year contract with the breakaway circuit for $140 million.
Despite accruing generational wealth, that hasn't stopped him from speaking about the money in professional golf getting out of hand, although it probably should."This has been an awesome four or five years for us golfers, for everyone around the world.It's changed a lot of things, but I think realistically, it's time for everything to come back to the way it was," Smith told the Daily Mirror.Cameron Smith of Ripper GC reacts from the 9th green during day two of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 17, 2026 in Mexico City.
(Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)ZERO BS.JUST DAKICH.
TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD.DOWNLOAD NOW!Smith's response was regarding a question about the expectation of LIV Golf having to rein things in financially with the Saudis officially pulling funding at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
However, that doesn't make his comments easier to digest, especially for the superstar players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour and didn't receive contracts of over $100 million.I...