Garg Norman convinced Smith to fork over $140 million 

A phone call shortly after his British Open triumph played a huge role in convincing Cameron Smith to turn his back on the PGA Tour in favour of LIV Golf - and $140 million.

The man on the other end of the line? Greg Norman. The great white shark single-handedly spearheaded LIV's pursuit of the game's best talent,

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A phone call shortly after his British Open triumph played a huge role in convincing Cameron Smith to turn his back on the PGA Tour in favour of LIV Golf - and $140 million.

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with financial backing from the competition's Saudi backers. But in Smith, Norman spotted an opportunity to honour one of the PGA's

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"Well done Smithy, you've joined the club," Norman told the new Australian Grand Slam winner, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. “I always believed you.

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The Aussie legend then handed Smith a flawless pitch and the wheels were set in motion for one of the sport's biggest deals.

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The press quickly picked up the link between Smith and the controversial new golf competition, with reports suggesting

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After weeks of speculation, the sport's worst-kept secret was confirmed on Tuesday night, with Smith announced as the new signing for the Saudi-backed tournament

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