“He’s one of our champions"- Jared Rice on Cameron Smith missing The Players Championship
Cameron Smith will miss the upcoming The Players Championship as the Australian golfer switched his career path to join the LIV Golf. Smith signed a million-dollar contract with a Saudi-backed tournament and was thus barred from competing on the PGA Tour.
Smith won the 2022 Players Championship but sadly will miss the tournament this year following his contract with LIV Golf. Despite not being able to compete in the tournament, he has already registered his name in history as the champion.
The Player's executive director Jared Rice opened up about Cameron Smith in his recent interview, saying:
"He's one of our champions and history speaks for itself. The play of all of our past champions speaks for itself. But 2023 is about the players who will have to be here. We have our eyes forward on the product, which is the best field in golf again."
The Players Championship is scheduled to take place from March 9 to 12 at the Players Stadium Course. Besides Cameron Smith, the 15-time major champion, Tiger Woods will also miss the tournament this year.
No Cameron Smith, No repeat champion
TPC at Sawgrass is best known for its difficulties. The Players Championship returns to the same course without Cameron Smith, thus history remains the same.
None of the Players' defending champions has finished better than the tournament at T5. There has been no repeat champion in the history of the Players Championship.
However, that does not mean that the golfers did not win the tournament twice, only the champions could not defend their titles. This will now continue in 2023 as last year's Champion, Cameron Smith will not return to defend his title.
Difficulty while playing on the course is undoubtedly the prime reason for the no-repeat champions. Golfers often talked about the Players Championship history and the depth and difficulties of the field in their interviews.
Back in 2017, Jason Day explained:
"That just goes to show you how hard it is come back and play this golf course. Because it does test every aspect of your game, not only the physical part but the mental part as well."
The Players Championship winners
- 2022: Cameron Smith
- 2021: Justin Thomas
- 2019: Rory McIlroy
- 2018: Webb Simpson
- 2017: Kim Si Woo
- 2016: Jason Day
- 2015: Rickie Fowler
- 2014: Martin Kaymer
- 2013: Tiger Woods
- 2012: Matt Kuchar
- 2011: KJ Choi
- 2010: Tim Clark
- 2009: Henrik Stenson
- 2008: Sergio Garcia
- 2007: Phil Mickelson
- 2006: Stephen Ames
- 2005: Fred Funk
- 2004: Adam Scott
- 2003:Davis Love II
- 2002:Craig Perks
- 2001: Tiger Woods
- 2000: Hal Sutton
- 1999: David Duval
- 1998: Justin Leonard
- 1997: Steve Elkington
- 1996: Fred Couples
- 1995: Lee Janzen
- 1994: Greg Norman
- 1993: Nick Price
- 1992: Davis Love II
- 1991: Steve Elkington
- 1990: Jodie Mudd
- 1989: Tom Kite
- 1988: Mark McCumber
- 1987: Sandy Lyle
- 1986: John Mahaffey
- 1985: Calvin Peete
- 1984: Fred Couples
- 1983: Hal Suton
- 1982: Jerry Pate
- 1981: Raymond Floyd
- 1980: Lee Trevino
- 1979: Lanny Wadkins
- 1978: Jack Nicklaus
- 1977: Mark Hayes
- 1976: Jack Nicklaus
- 1975: Al Geiberger
- 1974: Jack Nicklaus