RIPPER CAPTAIN SMITH WITHDRAWS; CAMPBELL MAKES LIV GOLF DEBUT

MIAMI – Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith was forced to withdraw prior to Saturday’s second round of LIV Golf Miami due to food poisoning. 

He was replaced in the Ripper lineup by reserve player Ben Campbell. It’s the first LIV Golf appearance for the 32-year-old from New Zealand, who will also play in Sunday’s final round when all four scores count for each team.

Smith began feeling ill earlier in the week and had to pull out of the pro-am. He felt well enough to start Friday’s opening round at Trump National Doral but struggled throughout the day while posting a 3-over 75.

Although there are no guarantees, early indications are that Smith’s status for next week’s Masters will not be impacted and that he’ll be well enough to play.

Campbell is currently 11th in this year’s International Series standings and 14th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

In 2023, he won the Hong Kong Open by one stroke over Smith for his third career win since turning pro in 2012.