South Australia Premier Warns LIV Golf Over Adelaide's Future

By Staff Writer

October 29, 2026

3 min read

LoopGolf

Key takeaways

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas says LIV Golf Adelaide will not go ahead in 2027 without a roster matching past years' standard.
He named Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau as players the state wants to see committed to the field.
LIV Golf Adelaide drew 115,000 fans in 2026, a record for a golf event in Australia.
Malinauskas said a decision is expected within two to three weeks.
LIV's South Africa event is also at risk after Southern Guards captain Louis Oosthuizen left the league and teammate Branden Grace is reportedly following.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has told LIV Golf its Adelaide tournament will not return in 2027 unless the league keeps enough star power to match the event's past three years. He raised the warning in an interview with Australian radio station SEN this week.

What did the South Australian premier say?

Malinauskas, whose state government backs the Adelaide event, said he wants proof that top players will stay committed before signing off on another edition. He singled out Cam Smith, Australia's 2022 Open champion, and Bryson DeChambeau as the players whose presence matters most to the tournament's standing.

"We're not going to go through with LIV unless they put on the standard" of event it has delivered in the past, Malinauskas said, adding that a clearer picture should emerge within two to three weeks.

The future of LIV Golf's biggest overseas date now rests on a roster list, not a venue contract.

Why does LIV Golf Adelaide matter to the league?

LIV Golf Adelaide has run every year since the league launched in 2023 and has become its most attended stop. The 2026 edition drew 115,000 fans, the largest crowd for a golf event in Australian history, according to figures cited in Malinauskas's comments. LIV CEO Scott O'Neil pointed to that turnout in August remarks at the league's season finale in Indianapolis, grouping Adelaide with LIV Golf South Africa as the model for LIV's next phase.

What is happening with LIV Golf South Africa?

LIV's South Africa event debuted in 2026 at Steyn City Golf Course and also drew six-figure crowds, with the all-South African Southern Guards team finishing second in the team competition. That event is now unsettled too. Team captain Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, announced his departure from LIV last week, and teammate Branden Grace, a two-time PGA Tour winner, is reportedly leaving as well. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have also exited the league in recent weeks.

LIV 2.0 is expected to launch with a reduced schedule and smaller purses if the league secures enough player commitments for 2027. Whether Adelaide and South Africa stay on that schedule now depends on which players remain.

Frequently asked questions

Will LIV Golf Adelaide return in 2027?

It is not yet confirmed. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas says the state will not back another edition unless LIV keeps a roster on par with past years, with a decision expected within two to three weeks.

Which players did the premier say are essential to the event?

Malinauskas named Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau as players whose continued participation underpins the tournament's success.

How many fans attended LIV Golf Adelaide in 2026?

The event drew 115,000 fans in 2026, the largest crowd for a golf event in Australian history.

Why is LIV Golf South Africa also at risk?

Southern Guards captain Louis Oosthuizen has left LIV and teammate Branden Grace is reportedly also departing, weakening the local draw that helped the event pull large crowds in its 2026 debut.