'World No. 2' Smith, Transferring to LIV Golf Next Week?
US Media "Will Move After PGA Tour Season Ends"
Forbes Predicts Kim Siwoo's Transfer... If Successful, 'Korea's First'
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Multiple players, including Cameron Smith (Australia), are expected to transfer to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
On the 28th (local time), US ESPN and others predicted that Smith, Cameron Tringale, Harold Varner III (both USA), Mark Leishman (Australia), and Joaquin Niemann (Chile) would transfer to LIV Golf sometime next week.
Earlier, the UK Telegraph reported that seven players would move to LIV Golf as soon as the 2021/2022 PGA Tour season ends. The PGA Tour is currently holding the Tour Championship, the final event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. This season will conclude on the 29th when this tournament finishes.
If Smith moves to LIV Golf as US media predict, he will become the highest-ranked player in the world. Smith is currently ranked 2nd in the world. Among existing players, the highest-ranked is Dustin Johnson (USA), ranked 21st in the world.
In addition, US Forbes mentioned Siwoo Kim (27). Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Jason Day (Australia), and Jonathan Vegas (Venezuela) were also mentioned. If Siwoo Kim moves to LIV Golf, he will be the first Korean player to do so. Currently, Korean-American players Kevin Na and Si-hwan Kim (both USA) are playing in LIV Golf.
Among the players rumored to transfer, Smith, Matsuyama, and Niemann are all ranked within the top 8 of the Presidents Cup International Team. If these players move to LIV Golf, changes to the Presidents Cup player roster will be inevitable. There is talk of additional selection of Kyung-hoon Lee (31), ranked 9th.
Hot Picks Today
!["Rather Than Endure a 1.5 Million KRW Stipend, I'd Rather Earn 500 Million in the U.S." Top Talent from SNU and KAIST Are Leaving [Scientists Are Disappearing] ①](https://cwcontent.asiae.co.kr/asiaresize/93/2026051914165468840_1779167814.png)
"Rather Than Endure a 1.5 Million KRW Stipend, I'd Rather Earn 500 Million in the U.S." Top Talent from SNU and KAIST Are Leaving [Scientists Are Disappearing] ①
- "Not Jealous of Winning the Lottery"... Entire Village Stunned as 200 Million Won Jackpot of Wild Ginseng Cluster Discovered at Jirisan
- "I'll Stop by Starbucks Tomorrow": People Power Chungbuk Committee and Geoje Mayoral Candidate Face Criticism for Alleged 5·18 Demeaning Remarks
- Putin Arrives in Beijing, Begins Two-Day State Visit to China
- "How Did an Employee Who Loved Samsung End Up Like This?"... Past Video of Samsung Electronics Union Chairman Resurfaces
The LIV Golf Invitational Series, sponsored by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), has faced backlash for aggressively recruiting players with "oil money." The PGA Tour is fighting back, led by "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods (USA), by organizing new tournaments and increasing prize money.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
