With just two weeks to go before The Masters, speculation and predictions are swirling as top players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf prepare for the prestigious tournament. Among the big names making waves is Phil Mickelson, who recently finished third at LIV Golf Hong Kong, expressing optimism about his upcoming participation. However, while some players are in strong form, others are struggling—one of them being Australian golfer Cameron Smith.
At 31 years old, Smith has built an impressive record of victories, steadily rising through the ranks. In 2022, he won The Open Championship, The PLAYERS Championship, and the Sentry Tournament of Champions, in addition to LIV Golf titles in Miami and Chicago. Even in 2023, he managed to secure two more victories. However, since then, he has yet to lift another trophy, facing a decline in world ranking points, a lack of major exemptions, and a growing perception that his massive payday with LIV Golf came at the cost of career opportunities.
Smith’s situation was recently discussed on the Talk Birdie To Me podcast, where former World No. 16 Nick O’Hern and veteran golfer Mark Allen examined his form. A fan question brought up the disappointment of watching Smith’s career trajectory, stating that he had the potential to be a multiple-time major champion but now appears to be just another professional golfer playing out his career on the LIV Tour without contending in majors.
O’Hern acknowledged the pressures of playing in major tournaments and praised the ability of professionals to handle them. However, when it came to Smith, he admitted he was surprised when the Australian joined LIV Golf, particularly so soon after his Open Championship victory. He believed Smith had the potential to become Australia’s greatest golfer but also understood the financial incentives behind the decision, noting how difficult it would have been to turn down such an offer. Nevertheless, Smith’s current struggles raise concerns about whether the move was the right choice for his career.
His recent major championship performances have been underwhelming. In 2024, his best finish came at The Masters, where he placed T6. However, he struggled at other majors, finishing T32 at the U.S. Open and T63 at the PGA Championship before missing the cut at The Open with a disappointing score of 154 (+12). With the 2025 season underway, the question remains: will his struggles in major tournaments continue, or can he rediscover his peak form?
Despite this, there are some signs of improvement. Although he has not won a tournament in nearly two years, his performances have shown glimpses of promise. His best recent result came when he finished runner-up at the BMW Australian PGA Championship. However, in his six starts in the 2024-25 season, he has only managed one top-20 finish—at LIV Golf Singapore. His other results have been mixed, including a T25 finish in Riyadh, 30th place in Adelaide, and a T20 finish in Hong Kong.
While these finishes don’t necessarily reflect a strong resurgence, there is evidence of an upward trend in his game. In his early tournaments, his scores hovered around par, but in recent events, he has posted scores below par more consistently. For example, at LIV Golf Hong Kong, he recorded rounds of 69-68-66, and in Singapore, his best round was a 67.
With The Masters fast approaching, the question remains: can Cameron Smith silence the doubts and return to top form? While competition will be fierce with the likes of Rory McIlroy and emerging stars, certain courses—such as Augusta National or links-style courses used for The Open Championship—play to his strengths. If conditions favor creativity and precise shot-making, Smith could still be a serious contender.
As he continues his preparation, the golf world will be watching closely to see if he can reclaim his status as a major championship threat or if his decision to join LIV Golf has permanently altered his career trajectory.