Following the enormous success of the 2023 tournament, LIV Golf is making a grand return to Adelaide. In 2024, the stakes are even higher with a staggering $39 million purse up for grabs. Whether you’re a fervent supporter or a curious observer, here’s everything you need to know about this headline-making golf tournament.
LIV Golf stands out with its unique format. Unlike the established PGA tournament it rivals, LIV features 54 players battling it out over 54 holes of golf across three exciting days. This distinctive number also serves as the inspiration behind the tournament’s name, as ’54’ in Roman numerals translates to ‘LIV’.
The prestigious Grange Golf Club in Adelaide will once again play host to this highly anticipated event, welcoming Australia’s very own golfing sensation Cameron Smith alongside international superstars like Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Dustin Johnson. LIV Adelaide tournament director Nick Haslam has announced a significant increase in capacity, with attendance capped at 30,000 spectators each day.
The inaugural event in 2023 drew an impressive 77,076 attendees and made a substantial contribution of $65 million to the South Australian economy. Data from YouGov revealed the global reach of the tournament, with 37 countries represented and 276 million households in 69 countries tuning in to watch the broadcast. As LIV commissioner Greg Norman enthusiastically noted in the lead-up to the event, “South Australia knows how to put on a show, and we look forward to seeing The Grange Golf Club set yet another elevated benchmark for the league as we raise the bar even higher in 2024.”
The success of last year’s event has South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas optimistic about the future of LIV Golf in the state. He remarked, “Hosting the nation’s first LIV Golf tournament and witnessing the iconic hole-in-one by Chase Koepka at our renowned watering hole were history-making moments that put Adelaide in the spotlight and got people talking about our state.”
The Adelaide tournament holds the prestigious title of World’s Best Golf Event of the Year for 2023. The LIV tour kicks off in February in Mexico before making its way to Las Vegas, Jeddah, and Hong Kong. The Grange Golf Club will host the fifth event of the tour. Okalahoma’s Talor Gooch, the defending champion of both the Adelaide tournament and the 2023 LIV tour, took home a remarkable $18 million bonus last October after winning the championship. When combined with his earnings from each round, his total LIV paycheck amounted to an impressive $36 million.
This year, the winner of the Adelaide competition will pocket a substantial $6.2 million in prize money. The Australian leg of the LIV competition boasts a total payout of $39 million. The player who finishes second at Grange will receive $3.4 million, while third place will earn $2.3 million. Top-performing teams will also share a $7.7 million prize pool.
LIV Golf offers players significantly higher earning potential compared to the PGA. However, the more established tour is taking steps to narrow this gap. In June 2023, the Florida-based PGA and LIV owner PIF (Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund) announced a merger. Their initial agreement expired in December 2023 but was subsequently extended, and negotiations are ongoing.
“The inaugural LIV Golf Adelaide showcased to the world how global audiences are embracing LIV Golf, which is injecting fresh excitement into the sport. It was the highlight tournament of our league’s first official season and a resounding demonstration of the competition, entertainment, and fanfare that golf enthusiasts deserve,” stated Norman.
Key Background:
Backed by billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf emerged on the golf scene in 2022 as a formidable rival to the PGA Tour. This substantial investment enabled the new entity to attract some of the PGA Tour’s most renowned golfers, triggering a protracted and contentious battle.
The PGA Tour has long dominated the golf landscape, and LIV’s emergence posed a significant challenge to its authority. Since its inception, LIV Golf has sparked intense debates围绕sports ethics, competitive integrity, and international diplomacy. This new league has not only disrupted the economics of golf but also ignited a heated discussion about the implications of ‘sportswashing’ in the modern sports era.
LIV Golf’s allure stems primarily from its exceptional financial incentives. By offering unprecedented prize money and signing bonuses, LIV has successfully lured some of the biggest names in golf, including Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. This lucrative model stands in stark contrast to the traditional earnings structure of the PGA Tour, leading to a significant exodus of players to the new league.
In response, the PGA Tour has taken proactive measures. They initially suspended players who joined LIV Golf, including Mickelson and Johnson, and later filed a lawsuit against the breakaway league, citing breach of contract among other concerns. Several LIV golfers then countersued the PGA, alleging violations of antitrust law. In a strategic shift, the PGA Tour has since revised its own prize structures and implemented changes aimed at retaining its top talent, underscoring the competitive pressure that LIV Golf has exerted on the established order.
LIV Golf Adelaide 2024 will take place from April 26-28 as part of a double-header event. The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide will once again host the three-day competition. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to witness world-class golf and experience the excitement of LIV Golf Adelaide 2024.
