LIV Golf Adelaide worker hurt as fans launches drink can

Police said they had reviewed CCTV footage of the incident in an effort to identify the culprit.

The wild celebrations at LIV Golf Adelaide’s notorious “watering hole” put a sour note on the event for one groundskeeper after he was injured by a can thrown by a patron.

The incident occurred at the 12th hole towards the end Saturday’s second round when fans started throwing their cans and cups onto the tee block.

A groundskeeper was cleaning up the mess when a patron used the can as a missile, striking the man in the head.

He was attended to by paramedics and transported to hospital for further medical treatment.

While the iconic party scenes at the ‘watering hole’ were heralded by most officials and patrons at the landmark golf event, it did raise safety concerns.

The incident prompted event organisers to replace all cans sold at the hole with plastic cups as a precaution the final day on Sunday.

Chase Koepka of Smash GC reacts after making a hole-in-one on the 12th hole during the final round of LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club on Sunday. Picture: Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf

An SA Police spokesperson said investigators had not been able to identify who threw the can.
“Other ground staff reported near misses in a similar manner on Hole 12 and as a result of consultation between event management and SAPOL decanting of all drinks in plastic cups occurred after this time. There were no other reported similar incidents,” the spokesperson said.

The state’s police union recently lost a legal challenge to try and stop beer and other alcohol being sold in cans at Adelaide Oval.

The police union has repeatedly expressed fears alcohol in cans will be used as missiles by drunk spectators and injure either police officers, other fans or players on the field.

Police Association president Mark Carroll said the “incident should not come as a surprise to anyone”.

“The Police Association warned all involved parties that allowing the sale of cans at sporting events was an accident waiting to happen,” he said.

“This incident highlights why the Liquor Licensing Commissioner needs to be more discerning about allowing venues like Adelaide Oval to sell alcohol in cans.”