New South Wales has reportedly put its hat into the ring to host a LIV Golf event, going against Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia in declaring its interest.
The PGA of Australia has remained aligned with its counterparts in the United States and Europe and has yet to create a partnership with the Saudi-backed league, which is staging its first Australian event in Adelaide this weekend.
The event has been wildly popular — and other states are taking notice, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
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Golf NSW chairman Michael Medway has reportedly declared that he would like to bring a second Australian LIV Golf event to the state, declaring the competition as “the future of golf”.
“And the format of golf in Australia needs to learn from the success of the LIV event in Adelaide, and consider change with spectators in mind as a key pillar in the national strategy,” Medway said, according to the publication.
“We would welcome a LIV event in New South Wales.”
His comments come with Golf Australia boss James Sutherland, and PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman, not attending LIV Golf while on overseas business trips.
The event at Grange Golf Club has been a major drawcard for the Australian sporting community. Tickets to all three days have sold out, while 40 per cent of attendees are either from interstate or overseas.
LIV Golf has struggled to garner the same popularity in the United States, opening the door for Greg Norman’s circuit to pursue more Australian events.
Medway reportedly senses that opportunity, although a NSW tournament would rely on finding a suitable venue to host more than 20,000 fans a day.
Cameron Smith, as one of LIV’s leading players, could also hold sway and push for an event on the Gold Coast instead.
“I think it would be unreal up there,” Smith said. “If we can squeeze two in, it’s my home state, so it would be kind of a personal preference.”
SMH reports that LIV team captains have been briefed about the potential for an extra event to be added to an Australian swing.
Star Dustin Johnson told the publication about a second event: “I think that’s in the works.
“It would be nice to play back-to-back weeks down here with the fans and all the excitement. I’d love to.”
