Sydney’s golfing powerbrokers have broken ranks with other states in Australia, declaring for the first time they would love to host a LIV event, whose format they’ve hailed as “the future of golf”.
On a day when another sellout crowd flooded in for LIV’s first Australian event in Adelaide, Golf NSW chairman Michael Medway said he wanted to bring a second tournament to his state.
The PGA of Australia has maintained its allegiance to the traditional tours based in the United States and Europe, prioritising playing rights for its up-and-coming stars overseas, rather than pursuing a link with Greg Norman’s LIV Golf.
Golf Australia boss James Sutherland and PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman are overseas on separate business trips and haven’t attended the richest golf tournament ever played in Australia.
However, Medway said, given the fan interest in LIV’s first Australian foray at Grange Golf Club, he wanted NSW to explore the prospect of hosting a second event each year.
“This is the future of golf in Australia 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. “We would welcome a LIV event in New South Wales.”
Phil Mickelson hands his glove to a fan during the second day of the LIV Adelaide event.Credit: Getty
The possibility of hosting a LIV tournament in NSW would likely hinge on finding a course that could accommodate the massive logistical exercise, which has included building tournament infrastructure and amenities to host 20,000-plus fans each day.
British Open champion Cameron Smith, the highest-ranked player on LIV’s roster and the captain of the all-Australian Ripper GC team, is also expected to have an influence on the location of another Australian event.
He has said he would love to see an event in Queensland, with Gold Coast’s Sanctuary Cove among the front-runners.
“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.”
A huge crowd follows Cameron Smith on Friday at the LIV event in Adelaide.Credit: Getty
LIV executives are keeping an open mind for their 2024 schedule, but team captains have been briefed on the prospect of playing an extra event in Australia each year given the country has been starved of top-level tournament golf.
Given LIV’s struggles to crack the American market – it has had small viewing numbers on The CW network after signing a broadcast deal earlier this year – there are discussions about whether to hold a sixth event outside the United States during the 14-tournament season.
“I think [we can bring a second tournament to Australia],” two-time major winner Dustin Johnson told the Herald. “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.”
Said Englishman Paul Casey: “You love your sport down here. It’s so nice to be back down here and it’s almost sacrilegious there haven’t been more events [in Australia]. I know there’s been a Presidents Cup, but this is different. So different. It’s needed it. We’re loving the golf and having a great time. I’ll play [another tournament in Australia].”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
