LIV Golf
Masters 2023: Cameron Smith says he double-packed in case Augusta didn't allow his LIV logos
Cameron Smith sported his LIV Golf Ripper GC logo on his sleeve Monday at the Masters.
Ben Walton
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Cameron Smith doubled-packed this week for the Masters, and it’s not because the weather forecast looks all over the place for the four days of the tournament.
Smith, the reigning Open Championship winner, is a member of LIV Golf, and the Saudi-backed league has strongly encouraged its players to wear their team logos in non-LIV events. That would include the Masters and the other majors—the tournaments they are most likely to be seen, considering LIV defectors are banned from the PGA Tour.
Still, Smith wasn’t sure when he began practicing at Augusta National Golf Club this week if he’d get a tap on the shoulder from someone in a green jacket about his LIV apparel.
“For me, personally, I have another set of clothes made up this week without [LIV logos],” the Australian said. “We haven't really heard much from Augusta National about the logos, and for me personally, I'm really proud of where I'm at and what I'm doing. Unless it's a problem for these guys, I'm going to wear it.”
LIV golfers Sergio Garcia and Talor Gooch practiced on Monday at the Masters with their LIV and Golf Saudi gear on.
Patrick Smith
Augusta National has never banned any other players’ sponsorship logos, so it would seem to overly selective if it picked out LIV gear to ban.
There is somewhat of a precedent for it elsewhere, however, with the DP World Tour asking its participants from LIV last August to not wear their logos in the BMW PGA Championship. Ian Poulter ultimately ignored that request and wore his LIV Majestricks logo in the tournament. The same players were excused from the playing in the pro-am.
There were several LIV golfers at Augusta National who wore their LIV gear for their Monday practice rounds, including past Masters champions Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, and former U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau.
Bryson DeChambeau wore his Crusher GC logo on Monday at Augusta National.
Andrew Redington
Johnson, who was LIV’s top money earner last season, was asked how many guys he thought would wear the logos this week. He offered a perfect DJ answer: “Whoever wears them. I'm just going to wear the Aces.”
Johnson is captain of the 4 Aces, which won LIV’s team season title and the $16 million first prize.
Dustin Johnson will wear his LIV Golf 4 Aces logos this week in the Masters.
Andrew Redington
Despite the acrimony between the PGA Tour and LIV, Johnson and other LIV golfers mixed with old friends during the practice rounds. DJ grouped himself with three tour players—Kevin Kisner, who is a friend from childhood, Brian Harman and Gary Woodland. Kisner saw absolutely no change in Johnson’s game or demeanor.
“He's always the same for 30 years,” Kisner said. “Stripes it, and walks around like he's the giant he is.”
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