US Masters 2023: Smith slams media ‘rubbish’ over tour wars

There are very few golf tournaments that can compare to the Masters, and the 2023 edition – kicking off this Thursday – is as highly anticipated as any major in history.

That is because the media masses will be certain to focus on any misplaced word or jump on any conflict between the PGA Tour camp and the 18 LIV Golf representatives in the field at Augusta National.

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding how those who defected to the Saudi-backed LIV project will be treated by their fellow professionals this week.

Some things were said early in the divide by players from each group, but in recent months there has been a concerted effort to tone it down and at least appear to get along publicly.

Cameron Smith, the reigning Open champion, ventured back onto the magnificent Augusta course this week to hit some practice balls and to test the waters a little and was pleasantly surprised by the reception afforded to him by PGA players who he still considers friends.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on at the moment that doesn’t need to be going on, especially in the media. I think it’s definitely wound up a little bit too much,” Smith said in an interview from Atlanta earlier this week.

“There’s too much rubbish going on, basically. I don’t think there’s any kind of hatred going on between the players.

“We are all happy where we are, and I’m just as happy for the guys winning out on the PGA Tour as I am for the LIV golfers, as well.”

Smith spent an hour on practice range on Monday (Tuesday AEST) and felt some good vibes from his fellow professionals preparing for the Masters.

“It was good to see some familiar faces. Lots of laughs and lots of handshakes, smiles, and hugs,” he said.

“It was really nice. I really wasn’t sure what I was going to expect walking onto the range.

“I was just kind of letting it all happen naturally. Went out onto the range and did my stuff, did my work and, yeah, it was just a really nice experience.

“I kind of wanted that, not only for myself but just for the game of golf.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on at the moment that doesn’t need to be going on, especially in the media. I think it’s definitely wound up a little bit too much.”

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is the $7.50 favourite with online bookmakers, ahead of world No.2 Rory McIlroy ($8) and world No.3 Jon Rahm ($10).

Smith is the highest-rated Aussie at $21, followed by Jason Day ($26) and Adam Scott ($111).

Tiger Woods is a $71 shot, with the value players also including Sam Burns ($36) and Will Zalatoris ($36).

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