LIV Golf Adelaide set to open the season from February 2-4

The hugely successful LIV Golf event is set to return to Adelaide in early 2024 and could even open the season.

Some of the world’s top golfers are poised to return to SA for a second installment of this year’s hugely successful LIV Golf Adelaide - and the 2024 edition could be given a primetime boost.

It’s understood the popular tournament will be brought forward and could open the LIV season, with a February 2-4 date at the Grange Golf Club believed to be the “frontrunner” among a host of options.

Another date in April, closer to the 2023 event schedule, is also being considered.

The return of LIV Golf to Adelaide has yet to be guaranteed, following the breakaway league’s shock merger with the PGA Tour in June.

But a state government spokesman confirmed they were still “working closely” with LIV Golf on a 2024 tournament in Adelaide.

The spokesman said no final decision had been made on a date for the event.

Grange Golf Club general manager Barry Linke said nothing was locked in but expected an announcement was “imminent”.

“We have had those discussions and the club is happy to work with whatever date they come up with, and we’ll present the course to the required standard,” he said.

Mr Linke said preparations had started for next year’s tournament, with more general admission space and hospitality options to cater for a golf hungry public.

“It’s going to be bigger and better. We think there will be even more people attending next year,” he said.

“We’ve learned a lot from earlier this year. We’re finetuning the infrastructure set-ups – we had a few issues to work through.”

Chase Koepka of the Smash celebrates a hole in one with his caddie on the 12th showered in beer from the crowd during day three of LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Course on April 23, 2023 in Adelaide. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Nick Haslam, managing director of Performance 54 that is responsible for the delivery, management and promotion of LIV Golf Adelaide, declined to comment.

LIV Golf signed a four-year deal with Adelaide to stage an annual tournament at The Grange Golf Club, starting this year.

The sold-out event in April attracted 77,000 people across three days - the biggest-attended event in the tour’s inaugural season - and was regarded as a watershed moment for Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed league.

Pictures of packed fairways and stands, including when Chase Koepka was showered with drinks after making a hole-in-one at the “Watering Hole” at Adelaide’s The Grange golf club, went viral and LIV officials lauded it as the “benchmark event”.

This week, PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan said discussions were continuing regarding the future of LIV Golf, with a decision expected by January 1.

LIV Golf officials, including chief executive and commissioner Mr Norman, remain adamant their tour has a future in the new world landscape and continue to hunt sponsors and TV broadcasters for 2024 and beyond.

Several LIV players, including Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, have said they have no interest in returning but the presence of the Saudi-backed tour could determine their futures for them.