Cameron Smith’s home state of Queensland is the front-runner for a second LIV Golf event to be played in Australia each year, with Marc Leishman claiming it is inevitable Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed series will expand in the country.
On the eve of the richest golf tournaments played in Australia, momentum is building for LIV to add another local tournament to its schedule after selling out its initial allocation at The Grange Golf Club.
Smith, the British Open champion and world No.6, is expected to have an influence on possible venues for LIV’s expansion in Australia, which would be in time for the 2024 season.
The 12 team captains have spoken about the possibility of bringing more events to Australia ahead of its Adelaide debut, which is being backed by the South Australian government.
Gold Coast’s Sanctuary Cove was in talks with Norman to host the first LIV event in Australia, but Adelaide snuck under their guard with a multimillion-dollar offer.
Smith’s Ripper GC team featuring Leishman, Matt Jones and Jed Morgan wear Queensland maroon on the final day of each event, and the state remains the leading contender if LIV pours more resources into Australia.
Cameron Smith during a practice round at The Grange Golf Club.Credit: Getty
Asked about adding another event to the Australian swing, Leishman said: “I think it will happen. You’ve got to go where the support is.
“I know they’ve been limiting crowds in America for the disruption, but this has been supported hugely. If you can get 30,000 a day into a golf tournament, and that’s where you’re going to make your money, I don’t see why you wouldn’t go to a market that’s supporting you.
“[But] you don’t want to flood it too much. Being away for three weeks is a long time, especially if you’ve got kids. I think two [a year] would be a great number to start with and see how the support goes, and then see what happens down the road.
“There’s a lot of other markets we haven’t hit yet. I think South Africa would be a great spot for a tournament, South America with the teams down there, and then Asia. It’s a big world and I think there’s a lot of opportunities in different places.”
Norman’s 48-man roster will travel to Singapore next week for the fifth tournament of LIV’s 14-event season, but discussions have been held about playing back-to-back tournaments in Australia.
LIV will open up Thursday’s Pro-Am to crowds to meet ticket demand. The traditional tournament eve session has been closed to fans at other events.
“I think everyone is just super appreciative that we made the trip down here and we’re playing because, like you said, it’s been a long time since anybody has really been able to see the quality of field that I think we’re bringing this week,” Masters runner-up Brooks Koepka said.
“It’s exciting. It’s going to be a big thing for Cam’s team, the Rippers, it’s going to be a big thing for LIV and a big thing for Australia, and I think that’s amazing.”
Said Bryson DeChambeau: “When I played [on Tuesday], the volunteers were awesome. They were so appreciative that we were here. They just watched every single shot we hit and with great authority and just genuinely loved us being here.
“It felt good for us because it was like, man, they appreciate what we’re showing. A lot of fun. I think it’s going to be a great week for Australia.”
The 54-hole no-cut event, which features the field playing with a shotgun start, will begin on Friday.
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