South Africa Deal for LIV Golf Near Completion, According to Government Announcement
Upcoming International Sporting Events: South Africa and Rwanda in the Running
Get ready, South Africa! You might soon be hosting a global spectacle as the LIV Golf league is on the brink of making its African debut. According to Gayton McKenzie, the country's minister of sport, arts, and culture, the LIV Golf Tour - backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - is close to securing a spot on South African soil.
The rebellious LIV Golf League, now in its fourth season, hasn't yet set foot on African soil, although several players on the tour have competed in Morocco's International Series events. If all goes according to plan, 54 of the world's top golfers will soon tee off on South African soil.
McKenzie recently met with LIV Golf's CEO, Scott O'Neil, and his team to discuss the potential of bringing the world's most exciting golf tournament to South Africa. Stinger GC, an all-South African team, already sets its sights on participating in this international event.
If the LIV Golf expansion in South Africa materializes, it would join a long list of popular destinations like the United Kingdom, USA, and Australia. Interestingly, some are even speculating about the possibility of the PGA Championship touring the world or a fifth major taking place annually outside of the US or UK.
The LIV Golf leaderboard is currently dominated by Joaquin Niemann from Torque GC, with major winners Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm ranked second and third respectively. Rahm's Legion XIII team tops the group standings, just ahead of Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC and DeChambeau's Crushers GC.
As if hosting an international golf event isn't enough for one country, South Africa is also in intense competition with Rwanda to secure a Formula 1 race. South Africa is considering Kyalami Circuit and Cape Town street circuit as possible venues, while Rwanda's interest in F1 racing is part of a broader African competition.
It seems South Africa and Rwanda are both vying for top-tier motorsport events, but when it comes to the LIV Golf League, it appears South Africa has the upper hand - at least for now. Stay tuned as this exciting development unfolds!
LIV Golf Expansion
Stinger GC, composed of captain Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace, and Charl Schwartzel, is an all-South African team. Ripper GC in Australia has followed a similar model with tremendous success, which has fueled calls for changes in the PGA Championship or the introduction of a fifth major outside the US or UK.
The LIV Golf negotiations with South Africa seem to be progressing smoothly, with government officials confirming that talks are close to completion. In contrast, there is no clear indication of Rwanda's involvement in the LIV Golf bid, given the limited available information.
On the other hand, South Africa's and Rwanda's interests in hosting F1 racing appear to overlap, but there's no explicit confirmation of negotiations between the two countries regarding F1 events. The competition between the countries seems to be limited to the motor racing arena.
Stinger GC, an all-South African team in the LIV Golf League, hopes to participate in the upcoming African debut of the tour. If successful, South Africa could spanning host to 54 of the world's top golfers, joining a league that has already set foot in destinations like the United Kingdom, USA, and Australia. In a different sphere, both South Africa and Rwanda are headed towards a competition, aiming to host a Formula 1 race, with Kyalami Circuit and Cape Town street circuit in South Africa being potential venues. While the LIV Golf negotiations with South Africa seem to be progressing smoothly, there is no clear indication of Rwanda's involvement in the LIV Golf bid.
