Smith, the freshly-minted Open champion after his win at St Andrews, is a target of LIV Tour commissioner Greg Norman.

Media reports say the offer to Smith from the Saudi-backed LIV Tour is worth between $90m and $100m.

Baker-Finch, a fellow Australian who won the Open in 1991, hopes Smith declines.

“I know that they’re talking to him and to many others,” Baker-Finch told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Tuesday.

“I hope he doesn’t (accept) because I think he can leave a great legacy by winning major championships and becoming the best player in the world.

“I don’t think he needs the money. I don’t think it’s going to be something he should do.

“It’s his decision – he’ll be a $100 million guy or more if he did go.

“Does he want to win more majors or does he want the money?”

Smith flat-batted questions about him joining the LIV Tour after his Open triumph.

“I’m hoping that he stays (on the PGA Tour),” Baker-Finch said.

“Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy and a lot of those guys that still compete and play well in majors and want to win majors and want to leave a legacy, they’re the guys I would be following.”

Baker-Finch slammed the divisive way the LIV series had taken on golf’s establishment.

Many critics believe the new series amounted to blatant ‘sportswashing’ by a nation seeking to improve its reputation in light of a history of human rights abuses.

But Baker-Finch was more worried about the potential impact on young golfers.

“The guys who go join LIV are going to miss out on the grind, what it takes to be a champion, to play in the great tournaments against the great players,” he said.

“It’s hard work. And you’re not going to be a better player by going and playing 54-hole exhibition matches and getting paid 150-grand to finish last.”