South Australia has officially obtained the rights to host the men’s Australian Open golf tournament, which is scheduled to take place at the North Adelaide Golf Course, set to undergo redevelopment starting in 2028. This arrangement will be shared with another state, allowing the men’s event to alternate annually with the women’s Australian Open.

This decision comes after a period of uncertainty regarding the future of LIV Golf events in Adelaide. The men’s Australian Open will be held at the newly renovated course, marking the first time the men’s tournament has been hosted in Adelaide since 1998. Between 2028 and 2034, there will be a minimum of three instances of both the men’s and women’s opens occurring in the city.

Details concerning the scheduling of events beyond 2028 and the division of responsibilities with the other state remain to be finalized, as stated by Golf Australia.

The announcement from the South Australian government followed significant political discourse surrounding the $45 million upgrade of the North Adelaide course, which is intended to accommodate LIV Golf’s activities in 2028. However, the future of LIV Golf has become uncertain following the withdrawal of funding support from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), leaving organizers in search of new financial backing.

Concerns regarding LIV Golf, which has hosted events in Adelaide since 2023 and initially prompted the government’s investment in the course upgrade, have led both the Greens and the Liberal Party to question the project’s viability due to its costs and the impact on local tree populations.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, who recently stated, “I don’t owe LIV anything,” emphasized that securing the Australian Open elevates the status of golf in Adelaide significantly. He noted, “The renovation of the golf course is justified from both a community and tourism perspective. Clearly, hosting a major event enhances economic indicators considerably.” He added that the original plan involved LIV Golf, but now with the Australian Open, South Australia is set to host the nation’s most prestigious golf event.

Malinauskas dismissed claims that the potential exit of LIV Golf from Adelaide weakened the government’s negotiating position with Golf Australia, asserting, “We have been negotiating with Golf Australia for some time, and recent developments did not alter that dynamic.”