Cameron Smith withdraws from LIV Golf Miami due to illness

Field Level Media|published: Sat 6th April, 13:13 2024

Apr 5, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Cameron Smith of the Ripper golf club plays his shot from the fifth tee during the first round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. credits: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Smith withdrew after one round at LIV Golf Miami due to illness, with no specific details revealed about his health.

New Zealand's Ben Campbell will replace Smith on Ripper GC in Miami.

Smith, 30, shot a 3-over 75 on Friday at Trump National Doral, with four birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey.

The timing of Smith's illness is far from ideal with less than a week to go before the Masters.

The Australian will have to hope his positive start to 2024 and past good fortune at Augusta puts him in a decent spot next week. Smith has two top-10 finishes in his first four events of the year, including a third-place finish at last month's LIV Hong Kong. At Augusta, he has four top-10 finishes in the past six years.

Smith has six PGA tour victories, including a spectacular 2022 that saw him win the Open Championship at St. Andrew's, Scotland, as well as the Sentry Tournament of Champions and The Players Championship.

Smith moved to LIV Golf in August of 2022, citing an ability to be closer to his native Australia. He's notched two individual LIV Golf titles, including a victory at LIV Golf London last year.

He ranked as high as No. 2 in the world prior to the move to LIV, which does not have OWGR eligibility. Smith currently sits at No. 62.

—Field Level Media