It just might be the team aspect of LIV Golf that elevates its reputation in world golf. Over 94,000 fans attended LIV Adelaide, withBrendan Steele (-18) taking out the individual award from Louis Oosthuizen (-17). Five players (-16) tied for 3rd including former World #1 Jon Rahm.
Australia Team Ripper GC saw Matt Jones the best placed in 9th (-14). Marc Leishman, Cam Smith and Lucas Herbert (-13) finished T14.
Once it was evident there would be no Aussie winning the individual award, the crowd turned their attention to the team event. Going down the stretch, the all-Aussie Ripper GC led by 5 shots, but this evaporated by the 18th and LIV Golf headed to its first ever team playoff.
Cam Smith and Marc Leishman held off the Stingers for a one stroke victory on the second playoff hole and the rapturous crowds lapped it up.
Here’s the full LIV press release;
Adelaide, SA (April 28, 2024): Record crowds, an electric atmosphere and a dramatic playoff finish welcomed LIV Golf back to Australia this weekend, as LIV Golf Adelaide made its highly anticipated return to The Grange Golf Club for the event’s 2024 edition.
More than 94,000 fans poured through the gates across the three-day event, with over 40% of ticket buyers from out of state and ticket purchasers from more than 30 different countries in attendance to witness Australia’s premier golf event. The tournament featured an action-packed Sunday that saw the all-Australian Ripper GC win the team competition in the League’s first-ever team playoff and Brendan Steele of HyFlyers GC claim the individual title.
Captain Cameron Smith of Ripper GC celebrates with the crowd after winning the team competition in a playoff at LIV Golf Adelaide (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf)
This year’s crowd eclipsed the previous record set last year as event organizers released additional tickets in the lead up to the event after experiencing an overwhelming response when tickets were first issued on-sale.
LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman said: “I am extremely proud. In our league’s short history, LIV Golf Adelaide has become a cant-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 travelled afar to be in Adelaide. For decades, I was blessed to play in front of so many who supported Australian golf and now, by bringing LIV Golf to Australia, the country has clearly embraced our league and what it represents: team golf – a new and needed product that is delivering for the sport’s future. Thank you, Adelaide, Australia, and all those who played a part in this tremendous week. See you all next year.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “We are thrilled that our continued partnership has delivered another amazing event.
“But the thing that makes LIV Golf Adelaide truly elite is the people. Golf fans from across our state, our nation and indeed the world, watching the world’s best players.
“I want to send my thanks to the staff, volunteers and members of The Grange Golf Club who worked so hard to make this happen.
“We look forward to delivering an even bigger and better event at LIV Golf Adelaide in 2025..
Fans flocked to witness LIV Golf’s star-studded field showcasing 14 major champions with a combined 27 major wins as well as an all-Australian concert line-up featuring Tones And I, FISHER and Flight Facilities.
When asked if this year’s tournament met his expectations for LIV Golf when he joined in 2022, the Ripper GC captain, Cameron Smith said: “This week has far exceeded my vision for what was ahead. I think I always knew internally that Australia would really embrace LIV with the culture, with the music, with the entertainment, everything that goes on around it. I always felt like this was the place where it was going to make it big, and how it's been the last couple of years has been just insane.
“Last year I said – and I’m biased – this is the best tournament I've ever played. I think this year it's done it again.”
Now, LIV Golf prepares to descend on the famed Serapong course at Sentosa Golf Club for LIV Golf Singapore, teeing off May 3-5.
Considered one of the most breathtaking arenas in all of sport, the Serapong course boasts fast, challenging greens, trademark contours and signature holes that will challenge the LIV Golf field as they make their second visit to the tropical paradise. For more information, including where to watch, visit LIVGolf.com.