The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Cam Smith on LIV vs. PGA, DeChambeau’s “Intimidating” Power, Jon Rahm’s Incredible Consistency

Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (C)
Guest: Cam Smith (E)

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth, candid conversation between Colin Cowherd and Australian professional golfer Cam Smith. Topics range from the global scale of LIV Golf, cultural observations between Australia and the U.S., the mental challenges of the sport, parity and contrast between elite players, and the energy of golf crowds. Cam gives personal insights into his own career ups and downs, thoughts on the evolution of professional golf, and delivers honest, insightful breakdowns of some of golf’s biggest stars.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Australia vs. California: What Cam Misses from Home

Timestamp: 04:19

• Colin asks Cam, as an Australian living in the U.S., what he misses most about home.
• Cam’s answer:
  • Coffee and beer: “I guess the one thing for me would be probably coffee and beer. ...The first thing I do when I land in Australia is I'll go get a nice coffee and then probably later that afternoon have a nice cold beer.” (E, 04:19)
  • Mentions iconic locations like the Great Barrier Reef, but emphasizes the unique culinary culture he craves.

2. Adjusting to LIV Golf: Mental Game and the Money Narrative

Timestamp: 05:03 – 06:57

• Colin probes the common narrative that switching to LIV and earning big money “distracts” players.
• Cam clarifies it’s more about the mental challenge and swing tweaks:
  • “If you looked at 2022 Cameron Smith and 2025 Cameron Smith on the range, you would say that 2025 Cameron Smith is a better golfer ... But it's just been a hard year to commit. ...I changed a fair bit technically.” (E, 06:04)
  • Backs up Colin’s point that streaks and struggles are part of golf, not unique to LIV money.
• Discusses self-doubt:
  • “...Between shots, you have so much time to think ... Am I doing the right thing?” (E, 06:04)

3. The LIV Atmosphere: More Global, More Rowdy

Timestamp: 06:57 – 08:56

• LIV events described as youthful, energetic, with high fan access.
• Cam notes initial adjustment to the “volume and music,” but enjoys the fresh approach:
  • “At the time I come over, I was playing some pret. Handy golf, so everything felt kind of easy... I think what we're doing is really cool. ...The best thing we can do as professional golfers is get more clubs in the kids' hands.” (E, 07:53)
  • Highlights junior programs like “Little Rippers” and the importance of golf development for kids.

4. Cam’s Ambitions as a Young Golfer

Timestamp: 08:56 – 10:15

• Growing up, the PGA Tour was always the goal:
  • “...Growing up, I'm watching guys like Jason Day and Adam Scott and Tiger. Of course that's where I wanted to be. But ... all the best players were playing there and it was really the only place you could play.” (E, 09:27)

5. Starstruck Encounters and Rookie Memories

Timestamp: 10:15 – 11:22

• On being “starstruck”:
  • “Jason Day...he was probably the first guy that I spent a fair bit of time around and went, wow, this guy is so much better than me. I've got so much work to do.” (E, 10:15)
  • Candidly admits, “Holy shit, I’m so bad at golf.” (E, 11:22) – a moment of humility and candidness.

6. Most Promising Regions in Golf

Timestamp: 12:09 – 13:04

• Colin asks which regions have the best future in golf.
• Cam singles out Asia:
  • “Every golf course that we've gone to in Asia ... has been phenomenal. ...In the next, you know, 10, 20 years, that's the place I'd look to.” (E, 12:09)
  • Praises design, practice facilities, and excitement from fans.

7. Rapid Fire: Describing Golf’s Biggest Stars

Timestamp: 13:04 – 17:22

• Jon Rahm:
  • “Incredibly consistent. Persistent as well. ...Feels like you have to do everything perfect to beat him. ...He doesn’t miss a shot.” (E, 13:18)
• Phil Mickelson:
  • “A crazy golfer… He kind of hits it everywhere and ... gets it done. ...Definitely a momentum guy.” (E, 14:25)
  • Colin: “He’s the great chef that spills a few things but he’s still great.”
  • Cam: “Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.” (15:17)
• Rory McIlroy:
  • “Rory's the most impressive driver of the golf ball I've ever seen. ...He can be very dominant when he's on.” (E, 15:23)
• Bryson DeChambeau:
  • Colin notes Bryson’s intimidating presence; Cam confirms:
    • “Yeah, he can be intimidating again. ...He can just overpower golf courses like no one else can...” (E, 16:36)
    • On their relationship: “Oh, yeah, yeah, they're okay.” (re: Bryson and Brooks Koepka, 16:22)
    • “Sometimes he's ... 70, 80, 90 yards ahead of you, and it's pretty demoralizing, to be honest.” (E, 17:08)

8. Does Gallery Size Matter? The Energy of Big Crowds

Timestamp: 17:22 – 18:31

• Colin asks if big crowds affect play.
• Cam affirms the energizing effect:
  • “I think you get a certain sense of energy from the crowd. ...The crowd almost felt on top of you. ...It brings a certain type of energy, particularly when they're amped up.” (E, 17:41)
• Lists venues (Hong Kong, Adelaide) and describes match play format at the Michigan event: “There’ll be a ton of birdies. It’ll be really fun to watch.” (E, 18:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On missing Australia:
  • “The first thing I do when I land in Australia is I'll go get a nice coffee and then probably later that afternoon have, have a nice cold beer.” (E, 04:19)
• On swing changes and commitment:
  • “It's just been a hard year to commit. ...Between shots, you have so much time to think the right thing.” (E, 06:04)
• On Phil Mickelson:
  • “A crazy golfer. ...I've played with him when he stripes the ball, ...and I've played with him where he hits these miraculous shots and gets up and down...” (E, 14:25)
• On Bryson DeChambeau’s power:
  • “He can just overpower golf courses like no one else can, and it can be quite intimidating... Sometimes he's ... 70, 80, 90 yards ahead of you, and it's pretty demoralizing, to be honest.” (E, 16:36, 17:08)
• On Jon Rahm’s consistency:
  • “Incredibly consistent. Persistent as well. ...He’s a fighter.” (E, 13:18)

Segment Timestamps

• 04:19 – Cam Smith on what he misses about Australia
• 06:04 – Discussing the struggles of pro golfers and mental aspects
• 07:53 – Adjusting to the rowdy, modernized LIV atmosphere
• 09:27 – The dream of reaching the PGA Tour
• 10:15 – First “starstruck” moments and rookie feelings
• 12:09 – Cam’s take on the most promising golf regions
• 13:18 – Describing Jon Rahm’s elite consistency
• 14:25 – Phil Mickelson’s unpredictable but brilliant play
• 15:23 – Rory McIlroy’s unmatched driving
• 16:36 – Bryson DeChambeau’s intimidating distance and presence
• 17:41 – The crowd’s effect on tournament energy and competition

Conclusion

In this fast-paced, insightful episode, Cam Smith pulls back the curtain on the realities of life on the LIV Tour, the mental and technical nuances of golf at the highest level, and provides nuanced, first-hand accounts of what makes golf’s superstars so unique. Cam’s honest reflections, paired with Colin’s signature direct questioning, make this an engaging listen for golf followers and sports fans alike.