A Warning Left Unheeded
The golf world watches with mixed feelings as the LIV Golf league files for bankruptcy. This financial collapse comes just as the tour prepares to launch LIV 2.0 next year. The uncertainty surrounding the league is massive right now. It raises a specific question about the players who jumped ship. Cam Smith is one of those names.
He ignored a direct warning from a legend before making his move. Ernie Els tried to keep Smith on the PGA Tour. He saw the risks clearly back in 2022. Now, with the league in trouble, that advice looks spot on. Smith has missed the cut at eight of his last nine major championships. The situation has turned sour for the Australian star.
The Specific Advice Given
Ernie Els made his feelings known to the media before Smith joined LIV. Yardbarker reported that Els served as International Team captain during 2019, coinciding with Smith’s first Presidents Cup appearance. That history gave his words extra weight. Four years prior in an interview with Golf Digest, Els warned Smith that accepting LIV money would be a genuine gamble. The advice was clear and direct. “Cam is in a great position right now,” he said. “He’s entering his prime. He’s 28 and he’s got time now to win majors, and I wouldn’t want to put that under any danger of not happening.
I would not at this stage go on any other tour where I might not play in a major again. I would play my golf and put myself in the history books as far as I can go. I would stay exactly where I am. Do what I do. The money is there – it’s already there. Besides, the way Cam is playing, LIV will be there and his value might go up. So I’d stay exactly where I am, in my lane, and try to win more majors.”
Smith did not listen. Smith defected shortly after securing The Open Championship victory while holding the number two spot in world rankings. LIV achieved a significant victory by signing the Australian golfer during 2022. However, the landscape has changed drastically since then. The league entered bankruptcy proceedings recently as preparations begin for launching LIV 2.0 in the coming year. Losing Smith would be a significant setback for the struggling tour.
Nevertheless, uncertainty persists regarding whether their top stars will remain with the organization. During 2023, Smith claimed three LIV titles and achieved two top-10 finishes in major championships. His form declined significantly after that. He has not won on LIV since 2025. The gamble Els warned about has not paid off in the way many expected.
Why the Move Failed
The decision to leave the PGA Tour carries a heavy price for a player chasing history. Smith missed the cut at all four majors in 2025. This is a stark contrast to his performance before the switch. The warning from Ernie Els highlighted the danger of losing access to major championships. If a player cannot compete in the biggest events, their legacy suffers. The financial security Els mentioned was already there on the PGA Tour.
Smith chose a different path, but the stability he sought seems to have vanished. The league filing for bankruptcy proves that the money was not as secure as it appeared. Now, the Australian faces an uncertain future. His value might have gone up on the PGA Tour, but the risk of leaving was too high. The situation shows that chasing a new league can backfire when the foundation is weak.
What Comes Next
The future of LIV Golf hangs in the balance as the league looks to launch LIV 2.0 next year. It remains to be seen whether star players will stay or leave. Smith’s career path serves as a cautionary tale for others. The uncertainty is high heading into the 2027 season. Fans will watch closely to see if the new version of the tour can survive. The warning from Ernie Els stands as a final verdict on the decision. The Australian ignored the advice, and the consequences are now clear.
