PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- A year ago, Cameron Smith captured what was then the richest winner's purse in men's golf history when he one-putted eight of the last nine holes to win the Players in a Monday finish.
Smith collected $3.6 million after surviving rainy and windy conditions, along with a three-year exemption into the majors and a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour. He won in front of his mother and sister, whom he hadn't seen in two years because of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After defecting to the LIV Golf League in August, Smith won't be around to defend his title (and won't need that PGA Tour exemption) at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass this week.