PGA Championship: Has struggling Cameron Smith sacked his golf coach?
Former Open champion Cameron Smith has reportedly hired Claude Harmon as his new swing coach, according to a report.
Cameron Smith appears to have parted ways with his long-time golf coach ahead of the PGA Championship.
The Australian, who joined LIV Golf for a reported $100m three months after winning the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews, has struggled in the major championships in recent years.
Smith, who was considered one of the hottest prospects in the sport before joining the breakaway tour, has missed the cut in his last six major championship appearances.
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In a bid to turn around his fortunes, the 32-year-old appears to have parted ways with his long-time swing coach Grant Field and replaced his compatriot with Claude Harmon.
Harmon, of course, is the son of the legendary golf coach Butch Harmon, who was by Tiger Woods' side for eight of his 15 major championship titles.
Claude Harmon's students include the likes of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson.
GolfDigest's Evin Priest first reported the news during LIV Golf's stop in Virginia last week, writing on X:
"My sources earlier this week told me that after struggling for form in the majors, Cam Smith has brought on Claude Harmon as his new swing coach. Unclear what role his long-time coach, Grant Field, will have going forward."
Smith finished in a share of 26th at LIV Golf's stop in Virginia at Trump National Golf Club.
It was his first start since missing the cut at the 2026 Masters after posting rounds of 74-77 at Augusta National.
Smith last made made a major championship cut at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, where he finished in a tie for 32nd.
He missed the cut again at the 2024 Open at Royal Troon and missed all four major cuts in 2025.
Despite the poor run of form, Smith told reporters last week that he still has "fire in the belly".
"Early in my career, I hung my hat on how I performed in the majors," Smith said.
"And it’s just not good enough. I am making a few changes and trying to get back to where I was and better.."
He added: "I can promise you, the fire is in the belly, it's just a matter of time. I don't think time is running out on my major career by any means."
Smith was speaking to reporters days after news broke that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced they will no longer fund the league after the conclusion of the 2026 season.
The Aussie laughed off reports he would consider retirement if LIV doesn't survive and claimed he has been given "every assurance" that the league will continue in 2027.
"Since joining LIV, I have learnt to deal with speculation and reports, so it hasn't really changed," Smith said.
Asked what assurances he had been given, Smith replied: "Every assurance. Absolutely. That's the goal, 100 per cent.'"
Pressed on who had offered assurance, Smith said: "I promise you will hear it first from someone else, rather than me."
Smith was also reluctant to expand on what LIV's future may look like. "It's just so fresh, so there’s nothing really to say," he said.
"I know the team are working hard behind the scenes and they’re doing everything they can for us.
"So I am excited, I know [LIV Golf chief executive] Scott O'Neil is really excited for the progress and challenge in the coming months."
The 2026 PGA Championship gets underway on Thursday.
Smith is one of 11 LIV Golf players in the 156-man field.
Keep checking GolfMagic for regular updates and news from the second men's major of the year.
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