LIV Golf Sets New Record With Adelaide Event

In its quest to make the sport a more global game, LIV Golf has certainly succeeded in Australia.

For the second straight year, the circuit played at The Grange in Adelaide and drew large, raucous crowds.

This year, an estimated 94,000 fans attended the 54-hole tournament, which is a new LIV Golf record.

LIV Golf CEO and Australian Greg Norman:

“I am extremely proud. In our league’s short history, LIV Golf Adelaide has become a can’t-miss event on Australia’s calendar of major international sporting events, and this week, we raised the bar once again. I want to thank the Australian fans and those who traveled afar to be in Adelaide.” 

Scenes on 18 👀

The vibes are insane Down Under 🇦🇺#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/BzLK7JgNEP

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 28, 2024

While LIV hasn’t attracted head-turning crowds in international markets like England, Spain, and Singapore, it has been a big hit in Australia, where the PGA Tour doesn’t currently hold a tournament.

The home crowd was treated to some excitement on the final day, as LIV had a playoff for its team title for the first time in its history. The all-Australian Ripper GC team, led by 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith, prevailed over Stinger GC, which is comprised of South African golfers like Dean Burmester and Louis Oosthuizen. The individual tournament title went to Brendan Steele, who beat Oosthuizen by a stroke.

Greg ‘The Shark’ Norman sent fans at LIV Golf Adelaide into raptures, doing a shoey on stage during the tournament’s presentation.

Australia’s Ripper GC, led by Cam Smith, took out the team title after two playoff rounds.

With American Brendan Steele winning the individual… pic.twitter.com/9kTX1B5Kem

— 10 News First Adelaide (@10NewsFirstAdl) April 28, 2024

But the lasting impact – for the second year in a row – is that LIV Golf felt like something big, even if it was just for a weekend.

“It’s very subjective for the individual, but no matter what the golf course and weather conditions are, when the people show up and they’re more excited than you are, it’s what makes a tournament great,” said Jon Rahm, who tied for third. “It’s what happens in majors, the Ryder Cup. It’s not really us; it’s not really the golf.”

LIV heads to Singapore for its next event this coming weekend. Meantime, one must wonder if the PGA Tour has noticed that fans Down Under are starved for golf – and will never turn down a party.

Cover Image via Bunkered