Cameron Smith laughs at question on Rory McIlroy's tears at LIV Golf Chicago

Cameron Smith was asked a controversial question after the first round of the LIV Golf Chicago Invitational regarding Rory McIlroy.

After his opening score of 66 at Rich Harvest Farms on Friday, Smith was asked a question by Akili Johnson of DrunkByTheTurn regarding his win at The Open Championship at St Andrews.

"I just wanted to reflect on you being the 150th winner of The Open. I know you'd spoken about how many beers you could fit in the Claret Jug," Johnson said.

"I think it was two. I just want to know, how many of Rory McIlroy's tears were you able to fit in it after it?"

Smith laughed and refused to answer the question, while fellow competitors Matthew Wolff and Phil Mickelson also laughed.

Cam Smith on how many of Rory’s tears he could fit in the claret Jug #LIVGOLF #DBTT pic.twitter.com/qny2jpz0O4

— DrunkByTheTurn (@DrunkByTheTurn_) September 17, 2022

In the final round of the landmark Open back in July, the Australian made six birdies on the back nine to leapfrog McIlroy and Cameron Young to lift the Claret Jug, his first major title.

It seemed destined for the Northern Irishman to win in front of his fans at the home of golf, but Smith produced numerous moments of magic including his two-putt around the road hole bunker on the 17th hole.

The question could also be in reference to McIlroy's loyal and staunch defence of the DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour, and the PGA Tour.

The 33-year-old has been at the heart of the wholesale changes, along with Tiger Woods, that have changed the face of the PGA Tour's 2023 schedule. There will be 12 Elevated Events with average purses of $20 million, with the 'top 20' players committing to all 12.

Before finishing second at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, McIlroy was one of a handful of players who didn't want LIV Golf participants at the flagship event.

Smith didn't compete, but this was another example of McIlroy's feelings towards the series which is mainly being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

McIlroy also admitted that he didn't have much of a relationship with those who left for LIV Golf, with many of his former Ryder Cup teammates such as Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter making the switch.