Axed LIV Golf star who made The Open cracks Norman joke and makes Woods plea

28 March 2023 , 10:14

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A LIV Golf rebel ditched by Greg Norman has qualified for The Open (Image: Getty Images)

A LIV Golf rebel who was brutally axed after three events has sent a cheeky message to CEO Greg Norman after qualifying for the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

Australian Travis Smyth - one of the first LIV recruits last year - claimed one of four coveted qualifying spots at the World City Championship in Hong Kong.

Smyth secured his place in golf's oldest major with a third place finish on nine-under, three shots behind home favourite Taichi Kho. New Zealand's Michael Henry and South Korean Bio Kim grabbed the other qualification spots.

But high-profile LIV renegade Ian Poulter - attracted to Hong Kong for the prize of competing at Royal Liverpool - missed out as he finished well down the leaderboard in a tie for 45th.

And buoyant Smyth could not help but see the irony in the weather-delayed event being reduced to 54 holes - the format that has now become so synonymous with LIV.

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Smyth was drafted into the LIV roster by compatriot Norman for the first three events of the inaugural season - but failed to perform and was soon ditched as big names from the PGA Tour jumped ship for the lucrative series.

The 28-year-old, who made an inordinate £700,000 in just three LIV events despite finishing no better than 22nd, told the enterprise's chief firebrand Norman: "It was a pity about the weather but Im improving on my 54 hole events @livgolf_league @SharkGregNorman."

And Smyth is already desperate to play in the same field as Tiger Woods at Hoylake, the historic venue where the 15-time major champion claimed his third Open title in 2006. "3rd place finish in last weeks @asiantourgolf event was enough to qualify me to this years @TheOpen! Bring it on! Cmon @TigerWoods please play!"

Smyth's obvious desire to return to the LIV field appears optimistic at first glance given his status as a relative unknown player, with Norman keen to attract game-changers to transform his series and establish a genuine rival to the PGA Tour.

Smyth has a chance to return to the lucrative LIV tour next year after his Open appearance (Mike Stobe/LIV Golf/via Getty Images)

But Smyth, Andy Ogletree and Wade Ormsby - all axed by LIV bosses - will have a golden chance to automatically qualify for the league in 2024 thanks to the introduction of a new qualifying school.

The winner of the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour will earn a spot with LIV next year, while there are also three spots available at an inaugural end of season qualifier, scheduled for November 2023.

Ben Parsons