Cameron Smith

ATLANTA – This entire PGA Tour season has been one long soap opera, but two of the leading protagonists didn't provide any juicy subplots Thursday at the ...

At times, he dragged behind the rest of the group and walked with his driver for support. In the opening round, at least, he hobbled around East Lake mostly unbothered by fans who either didn’t know or didn’t care that he might soon be playing his regular-season golf elsewhere. On a wild day in which he recorded just four pars, he came home in 31 and remained in a tie for sixth – though he now drifted eight shots back of Scheffler with 54 holes remaining. His would be a disappointing move for golf fans who care about watching the best players – all of the best players – compete together more often. In that call, McIlroy said he wanted to present the framework for what Smith’s next decade on Tour could look like – the showcase of stars, the beefed-up legacy events, the riches. Smith’s potential departure would be a significant blow for the Tour and a stunning coup for LIV boss Greg Norman, who has mostly lured past-their-prime talents and misfits to his upstart league. Smith’s round was more of a slog. Smith said any definitive statements on his playing future will come directly from him, and in a brief interview Wednesday, he reiterated that he’s here, simply, to “hit good shots and make putts.” tee time – as if Rory McIlroy, ardent Tour supporter, and Cameron Smith, rumored LIV defector, were suddenly about to throw down at East Lake in a battle for the soul of the game. Andrews, when he tersely answered a reporter’s question about his LIV interest by saying the timing of the inquiry was rude and that his team handles all his off-course matters. Players might have privately grumbled about Smith’s position here, but McIlroy didn’t give him the cold shoulder. Amazed about how overblown the non-issue became, they even discussed a silly rebuttal, if only Scheffler hadn’t been laughing too hard to pull it off.