Open champion Cameron Smith says it would be “unfair” if LIV Golf players weren’t allowed to play in major tournaments.
On Tuesday, Australia’s world number two moved from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV.
LIV players have been allowed to participate in the 2022 US Open and The Open, but there is no guarantee that they will be allowed in the majors in the future.
“For fans of major championship golf, maybe it’s a bit unfair to them,” Smith said.
The 29-year-old added: “I think the Majors is about having the best guys in the best field on the best golf courses. Hopefully we can sort that out.”
Players must earn Rank Points in order to participate in Major Tournaments which LIV Athletes do not receive.
Smith, who will make his LIV debut on Friday at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston, said, “Having 48 of the best guys in the world playing and not getting any world ranking points, I think that might be a bit unfair. .”
Smith’s compatriot Marc Leishman says the majors could be without top-tier players such as Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Sergio Garcia – all of whom play for LIV.
“As far as majors and all that goes with it, I think it could potentially hurt them that some guys are potentially out because they’re not being offered world ranking points here,” Leishman said. .
“As a golf fan, it’s tough for the top tournaments, but hopefully it gets better.”
Meanwhile, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson is “praying” he can still play the event after moving to LIV.
“It’s a weird situation to be a Masters champion,” Watson said. “Augusta, right now we can play there, and I hope and pray that they make the right decisions and the former champions [can play].
“If they tell me I can’t go, being a former champion, then I don’t want to be there anyway because that’s not the right way to look at it.”
“You can’t have your cake and eat it” – Player
Nine-time major winner Gary Player said LIV players shouldn’t expect to play in the majors after leaving the PGA Tour or DP World Tour to compete in the lucrative series.
“Look, I don’t blame the players for going on the LIV Tour,” the 86-year-old told BBC 5 Live.
“If you’re going to join the LIV Tour, don’t make a fuss about it! Everybody’s making a fuss about it! Let them go! If they want to go, they go. But the PGA Tour is still the tour of the world. This is where you can pursue and fulfill your dreams, and be a champion.
“You’re not going to stop them from leaving, and you don’t have to worry about them leaving either. Because there are so many wonderful young guys to fill the void – you still have Tiger Woods, you have Rory Mcllory. You have Jon Rahm. You have dozens of wonderful players on the regular tour. Why all the fuss!? Let them go.
“But when they go there, they’ve declared war on the PGA Tour. They shouldn’t expect to play the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup, play in the majors and all those things. You can’t have your cake and eat it. This is the bed you have chosen, this is the bed you must lie in.”