Cam Smith’s drop in the world rankings has put his chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics in doubt, but one of his LIV Golf teammates has called for changes to the qualification process.
LIV Golf star Marc Leishman has called for changes to the Olympic qualification system as former British Open champion Cam Smith risks missing out on the race.
Leishman and Smith represented Australia at the last Tokyo Olympics in 2021. But three years later, LIV Golf is still not recognized by the official World Golf Rankings, so it’s entirely possible Australians’ views will change.
As it stands, the top two finishers from each country will qualify for the event, which will be held next summer at Le Golf National in Paris, home of the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Despite Smith emerging as one of his country’s best golfers in recent years, his move to LIV last August meant that tournaments continued to be held without world ranking points, leaving him unable to leave his home country. The opportunity to represent is at stake.
Like many of his fellow Rebels, Smith also dropped in the rankings during his time in the breakaway league.
The Australian joined the LIV team as the No. 2 player in the world, but has risen to No. 20 after playing just seven OWGR-sanctioned events, including the four majors in 2023. LIV teammate Leishman further declined, asking for the goalposts to be moved so Smith could return to the Olympic stage.
“It’s very hard for me (Leishman).
I don’t think I’ll be able to participate (in the Olympics), but I hope they do something so Cam (Smith) can play. ” Leishman told Nine.com. “I hope he doesn’t drop down in the world rankings because in my opinion Cam is clearly Australia’s best golfer at the moment and deserves to go to the Olympics.”
Smith and Leishman said: Last week, he returned to the DP World Tour. Fortinet to be held in Brisbane He returned home to compete in the Australian PGA Championship. The return to tour gave the Australian pair a chance to pick up some much-needed ranking points, but to the surprise of many, tournament favorite Smith was unable to capitalize.
The defending champion missed out on qualifying for the Royal Queensland by seven strokes after shooting nine over for the first 36 holes of the week.
An emotional Smith remained unfazed, commenting: unacceptable.”
“Yes, I can’t say anything. S***. I’ve worked under pressure before and it’s unacceptable and actually a bit annoying.
I know if I’m there, it’s another thing to just go out there and commit to something.” Leishman, on the other hand, had a much better week, sitting in third place after Sunday’s final round.
Eventually world champion Min Woo Lee proved to be the star of the show in Brisbane, finishing at 20 under through four rounds. Lee could very well be Smith and Leishman’s successor in Australia’s Olympic system.
The win moves the 25-year-old to 38th in the world rankings, his highest position to date. And with Lee establishing himself as one of the most promising players on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour over the past year, it would not be surprising to see Lee’s ranking improve next month.
Smith is currently the highest-ranking Australian golfer on the planet in 20th, but has Jason Day just behind in 21st. Elsewhere Lee of course sits 38th, whilst Cam Davies and Adam Scott find themselves in the top 50, placed 43rd and 47th respectively.