Australia's No.1 men's golfer Cameron Smith says he hasn't been approached to join the mooted, Saudi-backed and money-laden, Super Golf League.
Australian No.1 Cameron Smith says he hasn't been approached about joining the touted Saudi-backed Super Golf League (SGL).
Smith's assertion came on Wednesday amid reports of extraordinary riches being offered to lure the world's top golfers to join the breakaway circuit being spearheaded by Australian all-time great Greg Norman.
American superstar Phil Mickelson said on the eve of the lucrative Saudi International that "pretty much every player" in the world's top 100 had been approached.
Amid reports that English Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter has been offered up to $US25 million ($A35 million) to join the upstart circuit, Smith, when asked whether he'd received an approach, responded: "No, I haven't".
The SGL was the main topic of conversation on Wednesday as marquee players like world No.11 Smith prepared for the $US5m ($A7m) Saudi International, which has lavished monster appearance fees to attract the best players.
The elite SGL is set to be the Saudis' next big move now they've pumped $US300m ($A420m) into the Asian Tour to create a 10-tournament International Series, fronted by Norman's Liv Golf Investments company.
The top players did their best to skirt round the subject on Wednesday with both the PGA Tour and European tour set to sanction anyone who takes the SGL dollars.
British veteran Lee Westwood said he'd signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding his possible participation while two-time major champion Dustin Johnson gave the teasing answer "we'll see" when asked if he'd had an offer.
Queenslander Smith, one of the hottest players in golf after starting the year with a record-breaking win in the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions, was also guarded when quizzed on the subject.
"To be honest, I haven't thought a lot about it. I've got guys around me that think about that stuff," he said.
"I'm just out here trying to play the best I can. We'll worry about that stuff when it comes around."
Pressed further on whether he'd be interested in joining, he said: "Again, that's a conversation for another time.
"I've got a really good team around me that can think about that stuff.
"They're just worried about how I can compete and how I can be the best golfer I can be."
Smith's compatriot and good friend Marc Leishman, the world No.35 who's also competing at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City this week, offered a vote of support to Norman.
"I do think that's a good thing that he's done. We've spoken about growing the game and all that, and I think this is something that could do that," he said.
"The competition, as far as golf goes, will help, help the game, and I'm excited to see where it goes."
In addition to Smith and Leishman, seven other Aussies, some who play predominantly on the Asian Tour, will be in the star-studded Saudi International field -- vying for the $US900,000 ($A1.3 million) first prize along with 21 of the world's top 50 players.
"I've played a bit of golf in Asia, early in my career," Leishman said.
"Played on the Korean Tour, did a lot of travelling throughout Asia, and it's great to see the guys getting to play for a big purse like this."
