[PHOTOS: Getty Images]
A compilation of the best elements of the LIV Golf League.
I. Let’s get this one out straight away: how the league actually visits Australia.
II. The calibre of the fields. There are 27 major championship wins by 14 different golfers within the LIV Golf stable.
III. The birth and evolution of Ripper GC.
IV. How innovation is at the core of LIV Golf. As good as the Adelaide stop was last April, they still found ways to make it better this year through additions such as the two-storey ‘Flight Deck’ viewing area overlooking the practice ground.
V. Adelaide’s enthusiasm as a host city for the Australian event and the South Australian Government treating golf as a priority.
VI. The overall energy LIV Golf creates.
VII. The ways in which the players get involved with each host city through off-course activations, such as Henrik Stenson hitting golf balls (a winning a fan a car) at the Adelaide Oval during the Port Adelaide vs St Kilda AFL match on Friday night.
VIII. The weather. April in Adelaide is ideal for golf.
IX. The wide range of hospitality options. The Birdie Shack, Club 54, Gallery and Barossa lounges, Cellar Door and the like each offer different grandstand experiences.
X. The wide range of broadcast options. Whether viewed on Channel 7, 7plus or online, LIV can be seen anywhere.
XI. The TV ratings. Over the first two days of LIV Golf Adelaide, 1.9 million people tuned into the Channel 7 broadcast.
XII. Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland showing up this year and our national body having a relationship with LIV Golf Adelaide after staying completely away last year.
XIII. Cam Smith’s putting stroke.
XIV. How relaxed and inclined to interact with fans the players are. The number of selfies and player-and-fan photos taken peaks at LIV events.
XV. The after-golf concerts. The upbeat vibe doesn’t end when the final putt of each day drops.
XVI. That it drew Anthony Kim out of hibernation.
XVII. The team component of the competition. Pick your team, then ride the wave of their performances.
XVIII. How the shotgun-start format condenses the daily action into a neat, four-and-a-half-hour window.
XIX. The total setup of LIV venues. Grange Golf Club, by virtue of having 36 holes, creates freedom to move and ample room for the requisite non-golf infrastructure.
XX. How LIV attracts non-golfers to a golf tournament.
XXI. How much there is for kids to see and do at tournament venues. The Fan Village has a kid-centric feel to it as well as being a place to refresh and relax.
XXII. Dustin Johnson’s unmistakeable gait.
XXIII. The on-course music. It’s not blaring nor jarring.
XXIV. The “Watering Hole”. OK, so the potential for the revelry to get out of hand is high (poor Nick Pugh – Lucas Herbert’s caddie – was hit in the head on Saturday by a flying bottle), but the concept has merit. And it’s LOUD!
XXV. The general frivolity of LIV events (providing it’s tasteful).
XXVI. Bryson DeChambeau losing his socks in a post-play putting-green bet with a punter.
XXVII. The quality of the coffee available at LIV events (trust us, the working media appreciates this!)
XXVIII. The smoothness of the entry process through the gates.
XXIX. Phil Mickelson’s short-game artistry.
XXX. Dom Boulet’s perceptive on-course commentary insights.
XXXI. David Feherty’s savvy turn of phrase with mic in hand.
XXXII. The positive ways in which the league has shaken up men’s professional golf.
XXXIII. The innovative stats, graphics and concepts – like the virtual caddie and scoring hexagons – incorporated into LIV Golf broadcasts.
XXXIV. Matt Jones’ refreshingly swift pace of play.
XXXV. Grange Golf Club’s cheeky sixth hole. The “Watering Hole” 12th gets all the eyeballs, but the little sixth owns far more charm. Some club members even putt the ball from the tee to front pin positions.
XXXVI. How the residents of the apartment blocks overlooking the sixth hole get into the spirit of LIV Golf Adelaide, sans tickets, in the “Granny Shack”.
XXXVII. The way it’s possible for non-LIV golfers to play their way into the league.
XXXVIII. Bryson DeChambeau’s brutal power (and good nature).
XXXIX. Shoeys.
XL. The prospect of twin playoffs at each tournament.
XLI. Greg Norman’s drive to ensure LIV Golf is successful – especially in his homeland.
XLII. The Majesticks GC quartet, despite regularly finishing last in LIV team events, retaining the determination to improve.
XLIII. Talor Gooch’s iron play.
XLIV. The team logos. We like the Crushers GC one best.
XLV. The players’ collective fashion sense.
XLVI. That the players are permitted to wear shorts.
XLVII. How roars echo across the course. LIV gallery roars just sound different.
XLVIII. The course signage, which is about as informative as it gets at golf tournaments.
XLIX. The sheer range of merchandise options.
L. Brooks Koepka’s swagger.
LI. The global schedule LIV Golf has built.
LII. Course setups that test the field but aren’t overly arduous. Birdies are plentiful and aggressive play is rewarded.
LIII. The clever recruitment of Jon Rahm.
LIV. That it’s coming back to Adelaide next year.
