World number three Cameron Smith says world rankings are becoming 'irrelevant'

Cameron Smith could have had a shot at the world number one ranking at this week's Australian Open, but isn't losing any sleep over being robbed of the opportunity.

Smith has easily been one of the most consistent golfers on the planet in 2022, but because he now plies his trade on the LIV Golf tour, he is no longer getting any ranking points for the majority of his performances.

That includes his victory over a quality field at the 54-hole LIV Chicago in September. Had he been awarded ranking points for that win, it would have given him the chance to pass Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy and take over at the top of the rankings in Melbourne this week.

“It is a bit of a shame, but it is what it is. I’ve kind of had to deal with that for the last three or four months,” Smith told reporters on Tuesday, just days after cruising to victory at the Australian PGA Championship.

“I feel like I’m playing some really, really solid golf and, yeah, it’s a bit of a pain in the bum.

“I know in myself that I’m right up there. I’m still third on the (rankings) list somehow but, as time goes on, those rankings become more and more irrelevant, especially with not getting world ranking points in those LIV events.”

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has led calls for LIV players to be awarded rankings points but so far has hit a brick wall.

A major sticking point as far as the Official Golf World Rankings is concerned is that LIV Golf events are only played over 54 holes.

Meanwhile, Smith also lamented the fact that there are only 10 ranking points on offer for the winner of the DP World Tour’s two main Australian events, the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open.

In contrast, Rory McIlroy was awarded 45 points for his recent win at the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup.

“It’s a shame that a big event like the PGA and the Open get so little points, especially for us Aussie guys who don’t really get an opportunity,” Smith said.

“Especially the guys coming up, (they) don’t really get an opportunity to win a lot of points. As a young professional, those points mean quite a bit.”

Meanwhile, fellow Aussie golfer Matt Jones said the world golf rankings will no longer be able to claim official status if the likes of Smith and fellow LIV players like Dustin Johnson are not given points.

“If you have official World Golf rankings and you don’t have DJ and Cam in the top 100 there’s nothing official about it,” he said.

“So something’s got to be done, because they’re definitely not allowed to and they won’t be welcome back to the PGA Tour with the way things are currently so if they are going to have official World Golf rankings then you’re going to have to accommodate LIV.”

Cameron Smith reflects on his third #AusPGA title 💬 pic.twitter.com/5FnRhXAKgu

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 27, 2022