Adelaide has won the race to host the first LIV Golf tournament in Australia, with international stars including Cameron Smith teeing up at The Grange Golf Club in April next year.
The Adelaide course has been chosen by LIV CEO Greg Norman-led breakaway league to host the three-day tournament from April 21-23 as part of a 14-stop global schedule.
Norman said the ‘phenomenal’ response from South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas was key to getting the agreement over the line, telling the Adelaide Advertiser that he’ll ‘never forget’ his first phone call with the leader.
The ‘Great White Shark’ said in a statement there was ‘massive potential’ for Australia to play a role in the Saudi-backed league which also features major winners Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia.
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has announced that Adelaide will host the rebel tour’s first Australian event
The US PGA Tour does not play top-tier tournaments in Australia, with big names only lured by the Presidents Cup, which was last contested in Melbourne in 2019.
‘Passion for sport is at the core of Australian culture, and LIV Golf is proud to bring its global league to a country deserving of the world’s top competition,’ said Norman.
‘This is an opportunity to grow the game with generations of Australians while connecting them with star players like Cameron Smith who are building a new platform for golf around the globe.
‘There is massive potential for Australia to play a bigger role in this great sport, and I couldn’t be more excited to showcase Adelaide for our league’s debut year.’
Local hero Cameron Smith will be returning home to compete in the first Australian LIV Golf event to be held in Adelaide
Meanwhile Smith has called for an end to ‘petty’ decisions issued by the PGA Tour that are blocking LIV Golfers from playing the four majors.
Golf’s leading body The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) has all-but rubberstamped…
