L IV GOLF’S IMMINENT DEBUT in South Africa has become one of our most hyped sporting events in years. Anticipation is building for a tour- nament now being played over 72 holes and with a field of 57 players. The Gauteng crowds could be bigger than anything ex- perienced outside a rugby international. The level of excitement among local golf fans for this tournament compares with the first two decades of the Million
SOUTHERN GUARDS ■ Branden Grace Won $36m career Won in Portland, Oregon in 2022, #2 individual championship that year. #29 in 2025. Good comeback after being in the Drop Zone in 2024. Joined in 2023 and won twice, Miami 2024 and Chicago 2025. #5 in 2025 (best season). Third in driving distance in 2025 at 327.6 yards. ■ Dean Burmester Won $29m career Still seeking first win; had 3 runners-up, including playoff loss in Dallas 2025. #30 in 2025. One of the straightest drivers but ■ Louis Oosthuizen Won $27.7m career Won first LIV event near London in 2022; twice a runner-up in 46 events. #23 in 2025. Led league in Strokes Gained: Putting in 2025. Long game held him back. putting a weakness. ■ Charl Schwartzel Won $25.6m career
Dollar Challenge, when the world’s best players were being attracted to Sun City. And it looks as if LIV are here for the long term, with South Africa becoming a permanent fixture on the 14-event global schedule. But are the tens of thousands of fans going to Steyn City to specifically watch the golf, or purely to absorb and experience the loud and boisterous festival atmosphere that has become LIV Golf’s signature? It must be a bit of both. LIV have some major drawcards in their retinue of players, and the daily shotgun format will be ap- pealing. Would a PGA Tour event in South Africa without the razzmatazz have the same impact? In truth, South Africans are buying up tick- ets – at least 70 000 at this early stage – because we’ve generally been starved of live world-class sport for some time. We haven’t had a Rugby World Cup for 30 years, golf’s Presidents Cup for 22 years, or a Cricket World Cup for 23 years. When the British & Irish Lions came for their 2021 tour to play the Boks, no crowds were al- lowed due to Covid restrictions. There’s also an attractive and unique team element to LIV events which has been a power- ful factor in maintaining popular interest in the Saudi Arabian-backed concept. If it wasn’t for the presence of South Africa’s successful four- man “Stingers” team, LIV would probably not be coming to Steyn City. Sadly, for some of their fans, the “Stingers”
2026 LIV SCHEDULE Riyadh, Feb 4-7 Adelaide, Feb 12-15 Hong Kong, March 5-8 Singapore, March 12-15 Steyn City, March 19-22 Mexico City, April 16-19 + 8 other events
The Southern Guards “new look.”
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 61
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
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