Australia could be about to land multiple tournaments bolstered by LIV golfers. Here’s how…
It’s enough to leave the country’s most nonchalant golf fans salivating at the thought.
Australian golf, still riding the tidal wave that was LIV Golf’s amped-up arrival in Adelaide, is now in the running to welcome LIV golfers at three, maybe four more events in 2024 and beyond.
According to sources close to LIV Golf’s operations, Australia is set to receive a second LIV Golf League tournament in 2024, with commissioner Greg Norman completing a scouting mission while back home in April. Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales have all been earmarked as potential suitors for the Saudi-backed tour’s expansion in the Shark’s homeland.
But two LIV Golf League tournaments may not be fans’ only opportunity to watch the likes of Cam Smith, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau strut their stuff Down Under. Our well-placed sources confirmed the Asian Tour’s global push via its International Series would likely bring “multiple events” to Australia in the near future. Launching last year and bankrolled by LIV Golf’s $US300 million investment in the Asian Tour, the International Series offered purses of more than $US1.5 million at various overseas stops in 2022, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Omar and Qatar. Australia is reportedly next on its hit-list.
“With these International Series tournaments, there could be an additional two to three events, giving a massive boost to Australian golf that has never been done before, by any tour,” reveals our source.
“LIV golfers under contract will play in these tournaments, not every tournament, but selected events at their discretion.”
The latest developments follow positive feedback delivered by LIV Golf’s galaxy of stars in Adelaide. Norman admitted his phone “hadn’t stopped ringing” since the Grange Golf Club produced the league’s most successful tournament to date.
“My phone is ringing off the hook, but it’s not just Australia, it’s the rest of the world, too,” says the tour’s frontman.
Reigning Open champion Cam Smith was excited about the prospect of playing multiple LIV events in his own backyard. “[Two LIV events] has been spoken about for a few months now,” says the captain of the all-Aussie Ripper GC. “I’m not sure how far along we are, but part of my reason to play [on the LIV tour] was to have an event here, and if we were to get two, I think that would make so much difference. If we come down [to Australia], just given the travel requirements, [two events] would have to be back-to-back weeks of playing. I guess we’ll have to just wait and see.”
April would be the month of choice for Smith, which leaves open the possibility of a newly crowned Masters champion arriving on our shores.
“I think [April] is a perfect time of year to play golf in Australia,” he says. “The weather is perfect. The greens are starting to get that winter-brown look and they’re really firm and fast.”
However, Australian Golf Digest understands the preference of LIV Golf would be to space the two events out at opposite ends of the season to help build hype and – importantly – avoid cannabalising in-bound tourism numbers enjoyed by a one-off event.
Scheduling aside, Smith’s teammate Marc Leishman says expanding the tour in Australia was a no-brainer.
“Everyone is talking about two events, not just the Aussie guys,” Leishman says. “LIV Golf Adelaide was on a different level. It had a real Major-feel to it, even more than some Majors.”
Four-time Major champion Brooks Koepka didn’t hesitate when asked if Australia should be granted a second LIV event. “I don’t see why not. It’s been good from a player standpoint. It’s been awesome. It’s been good for everybody.”
Even trimmed-down six-time Major champion Phil Mickelson, somewhat of a golf recluse of late after months of negative headlines around his involvement with LIV Golf, was taken aback by his treatment in the South Australian capital.
“I appreciate how kind everybody has been,” Mickelson told media in Adelaide. “The support that Cam Smith has had is pretty cool to see, too. I understand why he’s so loved here in Australia, and we’re certainly excited to have him on LIV Golf and be able to play in front of his hometown here in Australia.
“[LIV Golf Adelaide] really is an example of what is possible and a new opportunity to present golf in a different way and have a different energy and a different feel. I’m not saying it should happen every week, but what LIV Golf has provided is really a great alternative for the traditional ways of golf and the people here in Australia have embraced it. You see a whole different energy, a whole different excitement and fun, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
