The question every Australian wants answered after the stunning success of the inaugural LIV event in Adelaide can’t be answered with any certainty.
But there is an absolute confidence that officials including LIV boss Greg Norman will expedite any and all conversations about a second Australian event with willing parties for as soon as 2024 in the wake of what the players believe was a breakthrough event for their tour.
If Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman, and the majority of the other players had their way a second Australian event next year would be added to the schedule now.
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That still remains a possibility and even likely such is the groundswell of local government and corporate support with Queensland the front-runner.
Despite conceding to being on the point of exhaustion after a non-stop week on and off course, superstar Smith, who delighted day three fans as he finished fourth, declared they should also try and get even more than the 75,000 people who flooded through the gates over three days when they return next year.
“I really hope it‘s bigger next year. To be honest. I think we do we do more stuff, get more people in here,” he said.
“I mean, there’s obviously a want in Australia, I think for really high quality golf. And I think the fans here really enjoyed what LIV offers and yeah, there’s no reason why we can’t make it bigger.
“(A second event) has been spoken about for a few months now and I’m not sure how far along we are. I really stay out of those conversations, to be honest.
“Part of my reason to play was to have an event here and if we got to a second one, I think, you know, that makes so much difference to things.”
Leishman said the resounding feedback from everyone who had travelled from the northern hemisphere was positive beyond even his expectations.
He finished 21st, firing only on the last day with a brilliant seven-under 65, and was almost emotional about the success, which he said reinforced even further that his decision, with Smith, to join the breakaway group was the right one.
“I expected it to be huge but this was, I’ve had chances to win majors, albeit not in Australia, and to have the crowds like that, that was a highlight of my golfing career,” Leishman, who did a shoey out of a fan’s shoe when he finished his final round on the 12th hole, said.
“Everyone is talking about two (events), not just the Aussies guys. I think you go to places that are really going to support it.
“This was on a different level. This week was really, really special.”
“It was a special week for Australian golf. Me and Cam will have a bit of a hug later on tonight and we were already very happy with our decisions, but this certainly verified it.”
Leishman knocked any critics who still called LIV an “exhibition” on the head after a drama packed final round.
“Everyone is playing so hard out there. It’s different, but different is good sometimes,” he said.
“It’s still golf and brings non-golfers to a tournament. THere;’s so many good players, and the entertainment factor is great.”
Smith said the benefits went beyond providing a party for golf-starved fans too.
“This is part of the reason why we play we want to play in front of big crowds that get excited and put golf clubs in the in the hands of kids that you know, one day want to be out here,” he said.
“So, yeah, it was it’s a massive step in the right direction for us.”
