While there are some valid reasons to dislike LIV Golf, it cannot be denied that they are doing a much better job than the PGA Tour to try and spread the game with their worldwide schedule.
Seven of LIV Golf‘s 14 events in 2024 were played outside of America, with another seven international events already confirmed for 2025. The season will open in Saudi Arabia in February before heading to Australia.
It is fair to say that LIV Golf have not capitalised on the momentum they gained when they first emerged and really upset the golfing apple cart. The PGA Tour has suffered, but they have also shown that they can continue without an agreement with the PIF.
But every so often, the potential LIV has becomes clear to see.
Phil Mickelson names his favourite event on the LIV Golf calendar
And perhaps no event is that more obvious than LIV Golf Adelaide, which has arguably set the standard for what their events could be – particularly with the party hole each year.
Unsurprisingly, the players appear to love the event. Speaking on the Bryan Bros YouTube channel, Phil Mickelson was asked his favourite spot on the LIV circuit, and he opted for the visit to Australia.
“So Adelaide is, by far, the best. The environment there, and also, our teammate Brendan Steele won last year. But the Australian fans are so excited to have professional golf at the highest level that they come out and support it in droves,” he said.
“Also, the team aspect in the United States really hasn’t taken on, but over there, they have an Australian team and everybody out of the 35, 40,000 people each day, 90 percent of them are wearing Ripper’s gear. It’s pretty cool to see the way they support their team.”
How LIV Golf Adelaide needs to now act as the blueprint
The success of the Australian event perhaps shows the way forward for LIV in future – depending on what happens with the talks with the PGA Tour.
LIV has arguably tried too hard to provide an alternative to the PGA Tour at every step. That has perhaps meant that some of the league’s best features get a little lost amongst a number of unnecessary gimmicks.
If LIV prioritised the team format and played even fewer events in the States, it could be a lot easier to recapture the magic of the Adelaide event elsewhere.
It may also be worth looking at putting the Adelaide event later on in the season where the stakes are even higher as it appears to be emerging as the flagship week in the LIV Golf calendar.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
