“Clear path”: What’s next for Aussie golf after LIV Adelaide’s demise?

LIV Golf Adelaide is effectively dead in the water after the Saudi-backed golf league announced plans to permanently wind down its global operations.

From its arrival in 2023, LIV Golf Adelaide was one of the league’s most celebrated events. Unfortunately for golf fans down under, they’ll now have to hope that similar events can claim its place as the tournament that brings huge levels of excitement.

Speaking after LIV Golf’s announcement, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas admitted he wasn’t surprised at the reality of the decision.

With LIV Golf now finishing up, SA will turn its attention to the Australian Open, with North Adelaide Golf Course set to host three men’s tournaments and three women’s tournaments over a seven-year span from 2028 to 2034.

“I'm not entirely surprised, to be honest,” Malinauskas told SEN The Captain’s Run.

“We've sort of seen this coming now, really, ever since April this year.

“So, from South Australia's perspective and the state government's perspective, we're on one level disappointed that it’s not going ahead into the future, but on another level, we've just got a clear path now.

“We've doubled down on our efforts on the Australian Open, which is a growing format, and we're really grateful that Golf Australia has got a six-year deal for the men's and women's Australian Open into the future in our city and the North Adelaide Golf Course.

“They've got a partnership with the US PGA Tour that will hopefully see the Australian Open reclaim its mantle as being genuinely the world's fifth major as best as possible.”

While Malinauskas is disappointed to see LIV Golf go, he’s grateful for the platform it provided his state and Aussie golf fans, proving that they can deliver when offered the opportunity on the big stage.

“The other reflection I’ve got really is that on balance, I couldn't be happier with the way LIV Golf has contributed to golf in our country over the last four years,” he said.

“We've seen $316 million of economic benefit across four events that has delivered crowds of almost 400 ,000 people.

“They brought golf talent to Australian shores that hasn't been here in literally decades.

“It just sent a message to the rest of the world that Australian golf deserves high-quality talent, playing high-quality golf in our country, which is a market that has often been overlooked.

“Hopefully it recalibrates international golf's attention a bit more towards Australia in a way that fans want and frankly we generally deserve.”

Listen to Malinauskas’ full chat below: