A new face joins the all-Aussie outfit on the LIV Golf circuit this year as greater opportunities await the men in maroon.
Entering its fifth season, LIV Golf remains a league still shaping its identity – and once again, all roads lead through Adelaide. LIV Golf Adelaide has become the tour’s emotional and commercial heartbeat, a launchpad that sets the tone not just for the week, but for everything that follows. And in 2026, no team carries more responsibility in that moment than Ripper GC.
The all-Australian outfit has always been more than a collection of star names. It is LIV’s most authentic connection to a golf-mad nation, its loudest proof that this format can resonate beyond novelty. But with familiarity comes expectation. What worked in Year One won’t be enough in Year Five.
As LIV looks to consolidate, not just survive, the evolution of Ripper GC matters more than ever. From performance and personality to identity and exposure, the next phase will require sharper thinking and bolder execution.
“With a lot of teams getting better, creating an environment in which our players can perform at their peak is our No.1 objective for 2026,” says Nick Adams, general manager of Ripper GC.
“The LIV league is incredibly competitive. If you look at the strength of field, it is almost like playing a mini-major every week. I don’t believe the general golf fan can understand how gruelling it is to be in that highly competitive environment, week in and week out. With the nature of international travel and playing tournaments back-to-back in some cases, it requires a tremendous amount of planning to ensure they have the best opportunity to win each week.
“In addition, we have a new player who we are trying to integrate into the group as quickly as possible.”
Here are seven ways Ripper GC can grow in 2026 – and why getting it right could shape the future of LIV Golf itself.
1. An iconic Australian TV commercial
If Ripper GC wants to move from being a successful golf team to a genuine cultural sporting brand, the team needs a television ad that transcends golf. Basically, a catchy tune and a funny or inspiring commercial you can’t get out of your head.
Australian pop culture still reveres decades-old ad campaigns that lodged themselves in the national psyche using sport as the Trojan horse – think the early 1990s rugby league collaboration between American pop megastar Tina Turner through her hit song, “The Best”, and rugby league’s toughest men, including Wayne Pearce, Allan Langer and Andrew Ettingshausen. Rope climbs. Intense training montages. Thick moustaches. Mal Meninga in tears. The song did the heavy lifting, but the imagery made it feel earned. It showed grit, belief and warmth. Crucially, it made rugby league feel accessible to audiences, including women who saw Turner’s presence as welcoming.
Cricket had its own version years earlier. A simple, repetitive jingle written to unite Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket audience turned into a chant that transcended the broadcast itself. In fact, Adam Scott has said that the jingle, along with a friendship with Lleyton Hewitt, were among the inspirations behind his “C’mon Aussie!” celebration on the 72nd hole of the 2013 Masters.
Ripper GC needs its own version of those famous ads. Physical training footage. Australian landscapes and beautiful golf courses, as well as the team travelling overseas and the sense of sporting duty that comes from playing for your nation in foreign lands. Early mornings. Late nights. The sound of an iron making crisp contact with range balls during practice sessions. And topped off with a powerful theme song that builds and repeats until familiarity becomes affection.
The goal isn’t to go viral, rather to be timeless. It’s a tall order, but that’s why we remember “The Best” and “C’mon Aussie, C’mon” – because they were hard to come by.
2. Multiple wins from different players must become the norm
For Ripper GC to grow competitively in 2026, victories cannot be isolated to one player. Marc Leishman was the shining light for Ripper GC last year with a win and two other top-10s, as well as being the only Australian to make the cut at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush. He finished 13th on the season-long LIV standings, while Lucas Herbert was 15th after a runner-up and two other top-five results. Captain Cameron Smith sat 18th after five top-10 finishes. Matt Jones struggled for consistency and was not re-signed by the team for this season but was listed in the field for LIV Golf Promotions in early January – the league’s version of qualifying school (Jones failed to secure a return to the league, finishing T-8). Ripper GC needs at least two, and ideally three or more, victories from different team members to keep them in the news cycle in Australia and to build their points tally towards another season-long team championship win after their 2024 victory.
3. Cam Smith reclaiming world-class form
Every great team still needs a leading front man. For Ripper GC, that remains Smith, the 2022 Open champion at St Andrews. Growth in 2026 is closely tied to his return to consistent world-class form – something recent performances suggest is imminent. Although the former world No.2 didn’t get the job done at the Australian Open, finishing second by one shot hinted at his ability to stand up in big moments – such as playing in the final group at the first men’s Australian Open held at Royal Melbourne since 1991 – was like riding a bicycle. In the past, winning the Australian Open has proved a launchpad back to major-championship glory the next year for stars like Jordan Spieth (2014 and 2016) and Rory McIlroy (2013). Perhaps a runner-up can do just the same for Smith.
For Ripper GC, the mullet-wearing, loveable Brisbane lad’s form acts as an accelerant. When he is in contention, the nation tunes in and media attention heightens. The key for 2026 is Smith getting into the mix on Sunday at least once at a major to remind the golf world of his talent. That only boosts Ripper GC’s stock.
4. Build a clearer Australian identity without overplaying it
Ripper GC’s Australian identity is a strength, and in 2026 that needs to feel lived-in. This doesn’t mean Aussie flags everywhere or constant references to their Down Under heritage. It’s more about tone, humour, larrikinism and directness but also some seriousness and determination. Ripper GC has done a good job so far on the content front, but it needs to ascend to another level so fans can live vicariously through the team’s practice, play and travel. It would be compelling to see more vision of how the team communicates in victory, podiums and middle-pack results, to watch the entire squad taking part in a pre-season bootcamp, or simply celebrating varying levels of success with a dinner. A moment as casual as having a coffee and discussing the lead-up to important moments throughout the LIV and major-championship seasons would be great viewing. Australian sporting culture values effort, resilience and understatement. The team has it in truckloads, so it would be easy to share with fans.
5. Lean into ‘Leish’ more
Teams grow faster when supporters connect with people, not just results. For Ripper GC, that means allowing individuality to surface naturally and Leishman represents a significant and authentic opportunity for the team. After winning LIV Golf Miami at the brutally difficult Doral course in April last year, Leishman re-established himself as a competitive force. But it’s clear his value extends beyond tournament success. He is a down-to-earth and loveable bloke in ways that resonate deeply with Australian audiences. He is golf’s answer to cricket’s Travis Head. He’s driven by family and he’s happiest at home, both in Warrnambool, Victoria, and Virginia Beach in the US. In both places, he is content mowing the lawn and supporting his son Harvey’s growing love for competitive golf. Ripper GC could reach more golf fans and families with some behind-the-scenes content in Leishman’s off-weeks, and preparation and playing diaries at tournaments.
6. LIV Golf sustaining its Adelaide momentum, year-round
LIV Golf Adelaide is a pillar of not only Ripper GC’s identity but also the league itself. In 2026, the challenge is ensuring it remains a launchpad rather than a ceiling. Adelaide should feel like a home base, not the flagship tournament of the league. Fans should see Adelaide as where the story begins each season, not where it peaks. That means more exposure year-round yet is largely the job of the league rather than the team itself. Which leads us to the last point.
7. LIV Golf should also be on Fox Sports Australia
Finally, growth in 2026 depends on visibility. LIV Golf is broadcast on the streaming channel 7Plus of the 7 Network, but Fox Sports Australia remains the sentimental home of sport. It is where fans go expecting to find golf; from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to major championships, alongside the country’s dominant sporting codes such as Australian rules, rugby league and cricket. For LIV Golf, and by extension Ripper GC, returning to that ecosystem would be exponentially beneficial. A broadcast partnership with Fox Sports Australia would place LIV Golf back in the sporting rhythm and give the team greater opportunities at showing highlight reels to fans.
Photographs by LIV Golf; getty images/Andy Cheung; Icon Sportswire; Thananuwat Srirasant/getty images
