Cameron Smith commits to Asian Tour event in tune-up for LIV Golf League opener

Cameron Smith has confirmed he will be playing in the 2023 PIF Saudi International. 

The tournament was sanctioned in 2019 by the European Tour but as of September 2021 it represents the flagship event on the Asian Tour. 

Smith is the first big name to commit to the event - played at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah - over February 2-5. 

The reigning Open champion is expected to be joined by a host of LIV Golf players in the field. The prize purse is $5m. 

Defending champion Harold Varner III sunk 90-foot putt for eagle to claim the Saudi International last February. 

You might recall this is the very same tournament whereby players struggled to get releases from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to participate. 

That was because LIV Golf was very much in its infancy. 

In the end, the PGA Tour relented and allowed their members to participate providing they commit to the conflicting AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am going forward. 

The tour said their decision "wasn't precedent setting". 

Now the landscape of professional golf has changed considerably. 

Smith said: 

The Saudi International will also feature the top 30 players from the Asian Tour. 

Smith and LIV Golf players will use this event to get themselves ready for the LIV Golf League that kicks off in February. 

The first LIV Golf event will take place in Mayakoba, Mexico, after they snatched the venue from the PGA Tour. 

All previous winners of the Saudi International - Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell and HV3 have joined LIV Golf. 

Smith had a stunning 2022 in which he claimed the Claret Jug, The Players and also had a sensational homecoming when he clinched the Australian PGA Championship. 

The 29-year-old also won LIV Golf's invitational in Chicago by three strokes. 

Next page: LIV Golf ripped over Cameron Smith post