LIV Golf coming to SA reminds Louis Oosthuizen of early days of Nedbank Golf Challenge
LIV Golf’s upcoming event at Steyn City in March evokes memories of the early Nedbank Golf Challenge for Louis Oosthuizen, highlighting its entertainment appeal and drawing significant interest with over 100,000 tickets sold before announcing performers. Picture: Henry Nicholls/AFP
Image: Henry Nicholls/AFP
As the controversial LIV Golf Tour heads to South Africa at Steyn City in March, Louis Oosthuizen says the format reminds him of the early days at the Nedbank Golf Challenge (NGC).
Of course, LIV Golf is funded by the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund, and is still seen as something of a breakaway tour.
When it started back in 1981, the Million Dollar Challenge, as it was known then, was a high-prize money exhibition event.
That’s probably not the comparison Oosthuizen was making, although LIV Golf events feature no cuts and reduced fields. The current NGC is a fully fledged DP World Tour event, as is legitimately referred to as Africa’s Major.
LIV Golf’s Appeal: Entertainment and Excitement at Sun City and Steyn City
“I played in my first Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2010 when it was still just a 12-man field,” Oosthuizen told SportsBoom.co.za.
“So I’ve seen the set-up at Sun City, and LIV is especially for the younger crowd. It’s more than just a golf tournament; it’s a sports event. It’s fun for everyone, even if you don’t understand golf.”
The entertainment aspect of LIV Golf events and the setup at the holiday destination at Sun City is what Oosthuizen enjoyed most.
When LIV Golf comes to The Club at Steyn City from March 19 to 22 in its new four-round format, it will no doubt be a success, he believes.
“There’s live music every night. The great thing for us is that we had not even announced yet who would be performing, and we had sold more than 100,000 tickets already.
“That shows there is a huge hunger in South Africa to see a top field in action.”