Adelaide had the honor of hosting LIV Golf’s first team playoff, which ultimately led to a victory for the all-Aussie Ripper GC. The team from Ripper GC emerged triumphant in the playoff, showcasing their skill and determination. In individual play, Brendan Steele, representing the United States, secured his first title in seven years. Steele’s victory marked a significant achievement in his career, highlighting his perseverance and talent in the sport.
LIV Golf, which was launched in mid-2022, witnessed its first team playoff in Adelaide after 28 tournaments. The outcome of the playoff couldn’t have been more fitting, as the all-Australian team Ripper GC, led by Cameron Smith, emerged victorious against the South African team Stinger GC, captained by Louis Oosthuizen. The matchup between the two teams added excitement and drama to the event, and the win for Ripper GC showcased the talent and skill of the Australian golfers.
Brendan Steele, after his one-stroke victory, shared a conversation he had with Phil Mickelson, who asked about his thoughts and feelings heading into the final round. Steele mentioned that he felt confident when playing freely in the previous days and believed it would give him a good chance for success. Mickelson suggested reframing the mindset to say, “when I play freely, I can play freely, I will play freely.” This perspective shift seemed to have a positive impact on Steele’s performance.
Anirban Lahiri concluded his tournament in Adelaide with a strong 5-under 67, which resulted in a share of 14th place at 13-under 203. He tied alongside Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman, both representing Ripper GC. Bryson DeChambeau and Charles Howell III of the Crushers finished with 10-under scores, while Paul Casey ended the event at 9-under as the team tied for seventh place.
The victory for Ripper GC required a second playoff hole to secure the win, as Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester missed their chances in the initial playoff attempt. The event drew a large crowd of over 90,000 spectators during the three days of play.
Cameron Smith, surrounded by his Ripper GC teammates Matt Jones, Marc Leishman, and Lucas Herbert, expressed his excitement and called the win “unreal.” He described it as a dream come true and stated that the experience exceeded his expectations. Smith believed that Australia was the perfect place for LIV Golf to thrive due to the country’s culture, music, entertainment, and the overwhelming support from the fans.
Brendan Steele, whose victory marked his 11th professional career win and first since 2017, expressed his gratitude and overwhelming emotions. He described the win as special and praised the fans, the golf course, and the overall experience of the week. Steele started the final round with a one-stroke lead and secured the win with five consecutive birdies, creating a comfortable buffer against Louis Oosthuizen, who shot an impressive 7-under 65.
Several players tied for third place at 16-under par, including Andy Ogletree, Jon Rahm, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, and Joaquin Niemann, representing various teams in the tournament.
Brendan Steele managed to hold off his competitors, while the Ripper GC team, fueled by the support of the Adelaide fans, dominated the leaderboard for most of the final nine holes. At one point, the Australians held a five-stroke lead until the Stingers launched a comeback. The teams finished tied at 53-under for the week, setting a record-low counting score in LIV Golf history.
The tie led to LIV Golf’s first team playoff, with Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman representing the Rippers, and Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester representing the Stingers. The playoff format required all four players’ scores to count on each playoff hole.
On the first playoff hole, the Stingers had an advantage with Oosthuizen and Burmester setting up birdie putts. However, both players failed to convert their putts, with Oosthuizen’s effort just missing the hole. Meanwhile, Smith encountered trouble off the tee and found the bunker with his approach, while Leishman’s approach fell short and rolled back toward the fairway. Remarkably, both Ripper GC players managed to save par, despite the challenging circumstances.
The second playoff hole saw Leishman reach the green in two shots and make par. On the other hand, both Stingers players found themselves in the back greenside bunker, resulting in bogeys. Smith had two putts for a bogey to secure the victory and managed to sink both putts, sparking joyous celebrations among the enthusiastic galleries.
Smith admitted to feeling immense pressure during the playoff. He confided in his caddie, Sam Pinfold, on the 7th green, expressing his nervousness. Despite the added pressure from his teammates’ strong performances, Smith acknowledged the need to step up his game and ultimately contributed to the Ripper GC’s victory.
