Former World No. 2 Cameron Smith said he has been given “every assurance” that LIV Golf will continue beyond 2026 as the league works to secure new funding sources.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced last month that it will not continue its financial support of the league beyond this season. Smith signed with the breakaway league in 2022, receiving a contract reportedly worth $140 million.

He is also the captain of the all-Australian team Ripper GC. LIV Golf’s Adelaide event has been among the league’s most popular stops, and he told Australia’s 10 News that the goal is “definitely” to have the event return in 2027.

Smith, along with fellow LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, turned down an offer to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year, saying in January that “I am here to stay, I’m here to support LIV.”

LIV CEO Scott O’Neil has stated confidence the league will survive in a “multi-partner” format. Whether that comes to fruition and what impact it would have on the league’s makeup remains to be seen.

“Since joining LIV, I’ve learned to live with, you know, speculation,” Smith said, while laughing at the notion that he might retire if the league folded. “I’m 32, so I’ve got a while yet.”

Smith has struggled to maintain his form while playing for LIV. His missed cut at the Masters last month was his sixth consecutive at a major. Despite LIV golfers earning some world rankings points for the first time in 2026, Smith sits at No. 235, having posted only two top-10 finishes through the first six events of the season.

However, Smith said his competitive fire remains strong as he prepared for LIV Golf Virginia ahead of next week’s PGA Championship.

“I want to win tournaments, I want to win majors,” Smith said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been, you know, truly competitive at the top of the leaderboard. So, the fire is really burning at the moment.

“It feels like I’m getting a lot of confidence back out in the golf once again, which I’ve struggled with.”

–Field Level Media

Wounds created by Bryson DeChambeau’s divorce from the PGA Tour and his active, outspoken role in a player-driven lawsuit in 2022 might not be fully healed.

The 32-year-old said he understands the lingering acrimony, specifically among players on Tour and not new CEO Brian Rolapp, could be a lasting roadblock to a potential reunion. But from his perspective, DeChambeau said he’s always willing to help settle differences with compromise.

“I think that there’s a way to solve any problem. It’s really about if the membership wants me back,” DeChambeau said on the Beyond the Clubhouse podcast on Thursday. “If they want me back, that’s really what it’s about. It’s not anybody, I don’t think it’s even Brian Rolapp or anybody at the top that’s an executive. It’s about the players — if they want me back — and, if not, I understand that.”

DeChambeau and other players who joined LIV Golf to sign massive contracts are less certain about future paydays. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund plans to end funding for all events and the league at the end of the 2026 season. DeChambeau said this week “your guess is as good as mine” as to whether he will receive payments due on the remainder of his contract beyond the current season.

That uncertainty is sparking DeChambeau to consider what might be next if LIV Golf hits a dead end.

Other than player concerns, DeChambeau said this week potential punishment by the PGA Tour as penance for his departure would be “quite unfortunate in my opinion, considering what I could do for them.”

“The egos need to get dropped,” DeChambeau said. “Everybody needs to come in with a level-headed playing field, with an opportunistic mindset to grow the game of golf. That’s why I came over here. That’s why I do what I do on YouTube.”

–Field Level Media

Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd began the road to recovery following left knee surgery necessary to repair a meniscus tear suffered Wednesday playing with his kids.

Boyd was placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and the Cubs are refraining from an official timetable for his return, but he’s likely to be ready to throw off of a mound in early June barring setbacks.

Manager Craig Counsell called Boyd’s injury innocent but “kind of unexplainable.”

Corbin Martin was designated for assignment on Thursday after his blown save against the Cincinnati Reds in Wednesday’s game. The Cubs recalled 6-foot-7 right-handed reliever Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa. Hollowell, 27, pitched in seven games with the Cubs last season and allowed five runs in 9 1/3 innings with seven walks and 10 strikeouts.

Boyd, 35, was on the IL from April 2-21 because of a left biceps strain. He is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA, six walks and 31 strikeouts in 24 innings over five starts this season.

An All-Star for Chicago in 2025, Boyd is 62-78 with a 4.61 ERA in 218 career appearances (204 starts) for the Toronto Blue Jays (2015), Detroit Tigers (2015-21, 2023), Seattle Mariners (2022), Cleveland Guardians (2024) and Cubs.

Subtracting Boyd from the rotation, at least for a month, gives the Cubs three starting pitchers on the injured list. Boyd joins Justin Steele (left elbow) and Cade Horton (right elbow).

Martin, 30, allowed runs in three consecutive outings, surrendering four hits, four walks and two home runs in those games while facing 11 total batters. He has a 10.80 ERA without a decision in seven relief appearances this season.

–Field Level Media