LIV rebel Phil Mickelson lauds the pumped Aussie fans attending the Adelaide tournament where ‘alcohol has been flowing’ and ‘it’s golf… but louder’
- Mickelson impressed by energy of Adelaide event
- Says Aussies have embraced the fun environment
- Inaugural event in Adelaide has been hugely successful
Phil Mickelson spruiking the virtues of LIV as golf’s great alternative is not new nor surprising given the nine-figure contract he signed to join.
But his positivity for the Australian experience as the new benchmark not just for LIV but for golf around the world speaks volumes amid a groundswell of support for a second event sooner rather than later.
Lobbying for addition to the LIV calendar among Australian states, except Victoria, had begun before the Adelaide sellout but even the non-believers are believing with NSW golf officials, originally firmly in the ‘no’ camp, now searching for the cash to make it happen.
It’s not hard to understand why given the glowing Mickelson endorsement and the three-days of sell-out crowds creating a buzz that players say is hard to match.
‘Yeah, this is really an example of what is possible and a new opportunity to present golf in a different way and have a different energy and a different feel,’ the 51-year-old said after bringing his sublime Masters form to Adelaide with a seven-under 65 in the second round The Grange.
Phil Mickelson spruiking the virtues of LIV as golf’s great alternative is not new nor surprising given the nine-figure contract he signed to join
Tickets for all three days have been sold out, with 40 per cent of fans travelling from states outside of South Australia to catch a glimpse of Cam Smith and the best golfers LIV has to offer
‘I’m not saying it should happen every week, but what LIV Golf has provided is really a great alternative for the traditional ways of golf and the people here in Australia have embraced it.
‘You see a whole different energy, a whole different excitement and fun, and I’m happy to be a part of it.’
Australia always loomed as a LIV success given the rarity of such talent heading such a long way to play, and in Adelaide too where their presence has never really existed.
But even Mickelson said the sheer enthusiasm for LIV had exceeded his expectations.
‘I knew that there were going to be a lot of people. I didn’t really understand fully how many people were going to be out here,’ he said.
‘Again, what I am appreciative of is how kind everybody has been and how the comments have been fun or funny and positive. So it’s been fun to play in this environment.
‘The support that Cam Smith has had is pretty cool to see, too. I understand why he’s so loved here in Australia, and we’re certainly excited to have him on LIV Golf.’
Australia always loomed as a LIV success given the rarity of such talent heading such a long way to play, and in Adelaide too where their presence has never really existed
The overwhelming player enthusiasm for a minimum two-tournament Australian swing gives LIV officials the mandate they needed to change their 10-4 ratio of US to overseas events to at least 9-5.
There is thought now it could even be an 8-6 split, such has been the appetite from would-be hosts, keen to bring the Adelaide experience to their own venues.
Replicating it completely could be difficult, because even as Mickelson said, the Aussies do it better.
‘I think the thing that I enjoy most are some of the little things about being here in Australia. For instance, when I go sign autographs, I signed yesterday, there wasn’t any pushing, there wasn’t any shoving. People were patient. They waited. They were appreciative,’ he said.
‘Last few holes, alcohol has been flowing, that’s great, and maybe it might be a little bit louder and stuff, but that’s what we want. We want golf but louder. We want a different environment.
‘We want a not stuffy environment, and that’s what we’re trying to create, and that’s what people here in Australia have kind of embraced.’
