Sawt Falasteen - Johannesburg to host first LIV Golf event in Africa

They said a multi-year contract had been signed for an annual LIV Golf South Africa tournament in a country which has produced many stars, most notably career Grand Slam winner Gary Player.

Major winners Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia are some of the stars in the LIV Golf stable.

Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, former Major champions from South Africa, also compete on the LIV circuit.

"It is always special to compete at home, and I am incredibly proud to bring LIV Golf to South Africa for the first time," said Oosthuizen in a statement.

Chilean Joaquin Niemann, who has never won a Major, has been the most successful LIV competitor with six titles.

The inclusion of South Africa raises to five the number of continents where LIV tournaments will be staged. The tour is financed by the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund.

Unlike traditional 72-hole events staged over four days in the United States, Europe, Australasia and Africa, LIV use one day less, confining tournaments to 54 holes.

LIV also differs from tours like the USPGA, where placings are decided by individual scores, as it also has team competitions.

"Bringing LIV Golf to South Africa is another significant moment in our journey," said senior LIV Golf official Ross Hallett.

"We currently have events in Asia, Europe, Australasia, North America and today we add Africa, marking another exciting opportunity to showcase LIV Golf to a new audience and market."

The first event by the breakaway tour -- LIV Golf London -- was staged in 2022 and won by Schwartzel, who had topped the Masters leaderboard 11 years earlier.

O.Salim--SF-PST