What the PGA and LIV golf merger means for Adelaide

Golf’s warring parties agreed to join forces overnight. So what does that mean for the future of the hugely successful LIV Golf event in Adelaide?

The global golf peace deal announced overnight could also be a boon for South Australia, with the state government “bullish” about the LIV Golf event going ahead.

Golf’s warring parties agreed to join forces overnight, after a 12-month feud was settled between LIV, ATP and DP World Tour.

Premier Peter Malinauskas told ABC radio this morning he had contacted LIV organisers after the shock merger.

“I’ve been in touch with LIV Golf executives early this morning since the news was breaking and I think it’s potentially all upside for Adelaide and South Australia,” he said.

“We were already pretty bullish about next year but this only elevates a degree of expectation from our part.”

SA has a four year deal with LIV but not yet the other parties in the merger.

LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman, at The Grange Golf Club. Picture: NCA/NewsWire Emma Brasier

Mr Malinauskas said the success of the April Adelaide event could prove telling in negotiations.

“We naturally went out on a limb and provided LIV Golf their breakthrough moment globally which has undoubtedly only accelerated the reconciliation that has occurred between the US PGA and LIV Golf,” he said.

“So we’re well positioned to make sure that LIV Golf going forward isn’t just in Adelaide but is actually in Adelaide in an even bigger and better format than what was the case previously.”

The three tours have agreed to work together on a combined global schedule, sparking hopes Adelaide could become part of the massive new enterprise.

South Australia had already planned to host a second LIV event after big crowds turned out this year, but now faces competition from the cashed-up NSW state government.

The merger means any future event would be far more costly but also have an audience pull many times that of LIV.