Cameron Smith has voiced confidence that the LIV Golf season‑ending Team Championship will take place as planned, following a recent gathering of players led by Bryson DeChambeau to discuss the league's outlook. The uncertainty surrounding the final tournament, scheduled for August 27‑30 in Michigan, has persisted for weeks. Earlier, major champion Martin Kaymer suggested the event was unlikely, assigning it merely a five‑percent chance of happening.
Since its launch in 2021, LIV Golf has shaken the traditional golf establishment, positioning itself as a direct competitor to both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. However, the league now faces an existential crisis beyond the current season. In April, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced it would cease its financial backing of the series, prompting LIV to seek new sources of capital.
Amid this turbulence, Smith remains upbeat about the scheduled conclusion in Michigan. "We have been told to prepare as though it’s going ahead, so we’re expecting it to happen," he told reporters. He added that the previous year’s event in Detroit had been a success, and the team hopes to replicate that experience. "It’s a fantastic course, a great venue, and the crowds turned out in force.
I’d be disappointed if it didn’t go ahead," he said. When asked whether he was exploring options with other tours, Smith said he has not yet taken any steps. His focus, he explained, is on "keeping the team alive" and staying positive. "I haven’t started looking elsewhere.
I’m a positive guy, so I’m not actively seeking another opportunity," he affirmed. Smith admitted the situation feels “up in the air” and that the LIV organization is working behind the scenes to secure a future.
"I don’t really understand what’s going to happen. The LIV team is working hard to get us to play next year and doing a lot of behind‑the‑scenes work," he said.
"I want it to work, honestly. It’s great fun out here, and the camaraderie we have makes us better golfers and better people. I would hate to see it disappear." He also acknowledged that a return to the PGA Tour might become inevitable if no alternative emerges. "If that were the only option, I think everyone would want to go back, 100 percent.
It would be a return to the old ways," Smith noted. Following Smith’s remarks, a player meeting took place, reportedly chaired by Bryson DeChambeau, to hash out the league’s next steps. According to fellow LIV competitor Richard Bland, DeChambeau indicated that the coming two‑to‑three weeks would reveal a clearer picture of the league’s fate.
"Bryson ran through what he knows, and we’re trying to handle this as a group while also considering individual interests," Bland told The Athletic. "We’re all in this together and fully backing Scott O'Neil. In the next few weeks we should have a bigger picture." Bland also stressed the need for all contractual details to be finalized before any definitive plans can be announced.
"We’re at a stage where we’re positive about what’s happening, but we need everything signed off so we can move forward," he added. When pressed about the likelihood of the Team Championship occurring, Bland replied, "I don’t know. We just have to wait and see." Lee Westwood, another prominent LIV player, declined to comment on the meeting, stating, "No, I’m not talking about it. Bland shouldn’t be either." The broader context of LIV Golf’s financial woes includes the PIF’s withdrawal of funding, which has forced the league to hunt for a new lead investor.
Recent reports suggest that negotiations are underway with potential backers, but no concrete agreement has been disclosed. The uncertainty has left many players weighing their futures, balancing loyalty to the breakaway tour against the stability offered by established circuits.
In parallel, the PGA Tour continues its own narrative, with stars like Rory McIlroy preparing for the opening FedExCup Playoffs event and aiming for a record‑extending fourth title. Meanwhile, the women's game sees excitement around the Solheim Cup 2026 lineup, as Team Europe, featuring players such as Anna Nordqvist, prepares to face Team USA. Despite the turmoil, the LIV community remains hopeful.
Smith summed up the sentiment: "It’s great fun out here, the team we have makes each other better, and I would hate to see it go away. We’re all working hard, and I hope we can keep this going for next season." In summary, while the future of the LIV Golf Team Championship and the league itself hangs in the balance, Cameron Smith and his fellow competitors are preparing as if the event will proceed, maintaining optimism and unity as they await further clarification in the weeks ahead.