Latest news with #StingerGC
The South African
12 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
Is THIS the course that will host LIV Golf event in South Africa?
Ever since reports broke that LIV Golf will stage a tournament in South Africa in 2026, questions have been asked as to which course would be best suited to hosting the event. Predictably, many suggested the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City or Leopard Creek as possible options having held the Nedbank Challenge and Alfred Dunhill Championship, respectively, for decades. Others mentioned Blair Atholl or Durban Country Club as alternatives. However, another venue in the Cape has gained support. Earlier this year, Filipino ports and casino billionaire, Enrique Razon, whose company won an multi-billion-rand bid to revive sub-Saharan Africa's biggest container port, bought a development that includes one of South Africa's top golf courses, Pearl Valley. Entities associated with Razon bought Pearl Valley – a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course – and the hotel on the property in the Cape Winelands from a company controlled by shareholders that include South African businessman and Olympic swimming gold medal winner, Ryk Neethling. Pearl Valley has consistently been ranked among South Africa's top golf courses and has previously held the South African Open, among several other Sunshine Tour and co-sanctioned events. Razon, who chairs and is president of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and is a major supporter of the sport in his home country, has an estimated net worth of $13 billion, according to the Forbes Real Time Billionaires List. At the time of publishing he's the 202nd-richest person in the world. Razon is reportedly dead-keen on hosting the LIV Golf event and is prepared to throw money – lots of it – at realising his dream. LIV Golf's 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most internationally focused yet, with a schedule that includes nine tournaments outside of the United States. According to sources who have seen the preliminary schedule, LIV Golf's 2026 season will kick off with six straight international events, a significant increase compared to the four in the opening weeks of 2025. While the schedule has yet to be confirmed, reports are that these locations are '100 percent' confirmed, with the only expected changes being dates. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – February 5-7 – February 5-7 Adelaide, Australia – February 12-14 – February 12-14 Hong Kong – March 6-8 – March 6-8 Singapore – March 13-15 – March 13-15 South Africa – March 20-22 (first ever LIV event in South Africa) – March 20-22 Mexico City – April 17-19 – April 17-19 Washington DC/Virginia – May 15-17 – May 15-17 South Korea – May 29-31 – May 29-31 Spain – June 5-7 – June 5-7 New Orleans – June 26-28 – June 26-28 UK – July 24-26 – July 24-26 Chicago – August 7-9 – August 7-9 Indianapolis – August 21-23 – August 21-23 Michigan – August 28-30 South African tournament The 2026 schedule marks the first-ever LIV Golf event in South Africa. This highly anticipated addition is a win for the Stinger GC, the all-South African team consisting of Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, and Branden Grace, all of whom have long pushed for a tournament on their home soil. The venue remains unconfirmed, but the event will be a landmark moment for the tour. No Japan Event A previously rumoured Japan event looks to have been delayed, with the 2026 schedule not including a stop. Instead, Hong Kong and Singapore will see action in March. International focus early in the season The 2026 season would begin with six consecutive international tournaments in February and March, including notable locations like Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This marks a shift toward a truly global LIV Golf tour and presents significant international opportunities for players and sponsors alike. US leg starts late in the season The first LIV event in the United States will not come until May 15-17 in DC/Virginia, just a week before the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia. This marks a strategic move for LIV to avoid overlapping with the traditional PGA Tour schedule. No LIV Miami or Dallas In a notable omission, the LIV Golf Miami and LIV Golf Dallas events are absent from the 2026 calendar, despite the popularity of these locations in previous seasons. Instead, the tour continues its trend of visiting new cities and countries, suggesting that LIV Golf will continue to prioritise global expansion over returning to established US venues. If this schedule holds, LIV Golf will maintain its aggressive push to grow the sport globally, especially in emerging markets such as South Africa, South Korea, and Mexico. The addition of a South African event will undoubtedly be a significant moment for the country's golf scene, as well as a response to the growing call for more international representation on the tour. For LIV players, the extended international schedule provides more opportunities for travel, promotion, and securing sponsorships in regions where the tour is looking to make a lasting impact. With high-profile locations like Riyadh and Hong Kong, LIV continues to solidify its commitment to broadening the scope of professional golf. As the schedule remains unfinalised, LIV Golf fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting official confirmation, likely to come in the next few weeks. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
SA's Dean Burmester qualifies for Open Championship after playing 'best round of Links golf'
FILE - South Africa's Dean Burmester fired rounds of 70 and 64 at Royal Cinque Ports to qualify for the 2025 Open Championship. Burmester fired rounds of 70 and 64 over 36 holes to win the qualifier by four shots. Burmester, who plies his trade for Stinger GC on the LIV Golf Tour, won the final qualifying event at Royal Cinque Ports to join Stinger teammate and 2010 Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen in the field. After making the long trek from Dallas in the United States to the United Kingdom, Burmester tied the course record with an eight-under par 64 in blustery conditions to qualify for the Open Championship. "That's one of the best rounds of Links golf I've played," Burmester said about his 64. "It was just flawless from the get-go this afternoon. ... Basically from the first hole it looked like every putt was going to go in, and that's pretty much what happened for the next 17 holes. "I'm super chuffed with the way it's turned out. It was a goal of mine to get to Portrush. Now I've got to find some accommodation!" Burmester finished T23 at LIV Golf Virginia and T18 at LIV Golf Dallas leading into the qualifier. For the season, he is currently 11th in the individual standings. The 36-year old will be making his fourth Open Championship start, finishing tied for 11th in 2022 and tied for 19th in 2024. @JohnGoliath82
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Dean Burmester seeks strong performance at PGA Championship in North Carolina
South African Dean Burmester will make his debut at Quail Hollow on Thursday during the first round of the PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina. Image: Stingers GC Inclement weather might have hampered his preparation for the PGA Championship, starting on Thursday, but South African Dean Burmester will look for four days of 'good golf' to give him a shot at the title. The second major of the year takes place at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, and for the LIV golfer, it presents an opportunity to do well in his debut at the course. He recently told Golf Digest that he's only played the lengthy course on PlayStation as he braces for his baptism of fire. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ After finishing tied twelfth at last year's tournament at Valhalla alongside current Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Burmester says he feels in good form coming off some strong rounds as part of the Stinger GC team on the Saudi-backed tour. 'I am carrying decent form coming in here and yes, it is the strongest field, but it only takes four good days to lift the trophy,' Burmester said. 'That is my expectation. I want to put four good days together and see where I am at at the end (of it). After traveling over multiple time zones, I probably needed the week off and needed the rest. I feel pretty good actually. Time to LEVEL UP ✅ @PGAChampionship Our very own Burmy is representing us at this years #pgachampionship 🇿🇦 Let's get behind our boytjie! #golf — Stinger GC (@stingergc_) May 13, 2025 'I've put in a lot of work, so I am excited to get going come Thursday.' Two weeks ago in South Korea, Burmester holed out with a seven iron, hitting an ace during the LIV event, and he will be hopeful to replicate that this week. He says plenty of people told him ahead of the major that Quail Hollow will suit his game. He can hit a ball long off the tee box and will be eager to test himself with his driver in hand. A dominant, record-breaking win. Relive Rory McIlroy's 8-shot triumph at the 2012 PGA Championship. #PGAChamp — PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 13, 2025 'Having played 18 holes here, I do think so (that it suits his game). The course setup is very generous off the tee, and pretty wide with some thick rough, and firm greens. So, it kind of suits the long hitters and I don't hit it too short. So, it will suit my game. 'We all want to perform well in the majors. So, there will always be pressure. I don't think there is more pressure compared to most tournaments. It is one of the big four in the history of golf, so that is the only added pressure.' Burmester is joined by fellow South Africans Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Erik van Rooyen, Thriston Lawrence, Garrick Higgo and Daniel van Tonder at the tournament. Masters champion McIlroy, world number one Scottie Scheffler, and LIV South Korea champion Bryson Deschambeau are amongst the favourites to win.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
LIV golf coming to South Africa?
The big question is, where in SA would an LIV tournament be put on — at Sun City or at Fancourt perhaps? South African golfer Dean Burmester, who plays for the Stinger team in LIV golf, in action in South Korea last weekend. Picture:If South African minister of sport Gayton McKenzie has any say in it, an LIV golf tournament will soon be staged in South Africa. Golf's breakaway tour, LIV, which is funded by Saudi Arabia, is still in its infancy after being established in 2021 to compete with the US PGA Tour, but drawing big crowds all over the world. There are now tournaments in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America … but not in Africa. McKenzie, who visited the South African LIV team, 'Stinger', at the tournament in Incheon, South Korea last weekend, said in a social media post on Facebook on Monday: 'We are very close to bringing the worlds most exciting golf tournament LIV Golf to South Africa, 54 of the worlds top golfers will descend on South African soil in very near future, I wanna thank Stinger GC crew, we nearly there boys.' The LIV 'Stinger' team consists of four South African players, namely Major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, as well as Dean Burmester and Branden Grace. McKenzie met with LIV golf CEO Scott O'Neil at the weekend and said on Facebook: 'I met with the brilliant CEO, Scott O'Neil, and the rest of his bright executive team at golf's freshest new globe-spanning tournament, LIV Golf, which has an all-South African team, Stingers GC. We are full of hope about bringing this festival of sport and culture to SA soon.' In a video clip shared by McKenzie he says, among other things, 'The Stinger boys are the next best thing to come out of South Africa after the Springboks.' Where would an LIV tournament be held? For some time now there has been speculation in South African golfing circles about bringing a lucrative LIV event to the country. Not since the heyday of the Million Dollar golf tournament in the 80s and 90s and early 2000s at Sun City has South Africa staged a golf tournament with a world class field. The new-look Million Dollar, the Nedbank Golf Challenge, has become a regular season DP World Tour (European Tour) event, at Sun City, but has failed to draw the very best golfers to South Africa. Could an LIV tournament replace the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in the future? Or would Fancourt in the south western Cape be a better option to showcase South Africa to the golfing world? Some of the top players involved in LIV include Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Tyrrell Hatton, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Brooks Koepka and multiple tournament winner Joaquin Niemann. DeChambeau won the tournament in Incheon last weekend. Schwartzel won the very first LIV tournament in 2022 in London, while Burmester won in Miami last season.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Leishman sinks hole-in-one at LIV Korea
Australia's Marc Leishman has made a hole-in-one while carding a round of one-under par for a share of 18th place in the first round of the LIV Golf tournament in South Korea. Leishman and Ripper CG teammate Lucas Herbert were the leading Australians at six shots off the pace after day one at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea on Friday. 2 ACES IN A DAY!!Unbelievable, @marcleish makes the second hole-in-one in the first round 🙌🇺🇸 @FS1 | 🇰🇷 @CoupangPlay | 📲 LIV Golf app#LIVGolfKorea @rippergc_ — LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) May 2, 2025 Taylor Gooch of Smash GC and Crushers GC's Bryson DeChambeau shared the lead after shooting seven-under 65s on Friday. Louis Oosthuizen, of Stinger GC, and Cleeks Golf Club's Richard Bland were a stroke further back in a share of third place, ahead of a four-way group two shots adrift at four-under. Leishman made a blistering start, taking a birdie three at the fourth before sinking his tee shot on the 172-yard fifth, and making a birdie two at the eighth to be four under. But a bogey five at nine and a double-bogey at the par-four 11th helped consign him to his moderate round. It was Leishman's fourth career hole-in-one in competition, and sixth overall. Herbert turned at two-under after a blemish-free front nine, before bogey fives at the 10th and 16th offset his sole inward birdie at the long 15th. Cameron Smith was the next best Australian after a one-over 73 left him in a tie for 32nd place, his three birdies offset by four bogeys. Leishman's ace was matched by that of Stinger GC's Dean Burmester, who needed just one shot on the 205-yard 13th en route to the 68 that left him tied for fifth. American Gooch said he hoped his superb round would reignite some of his best form from two years ago. "Hopefully this round kind of kick-starts a good rest of the season and we can kind of channel some of that 2023 season again," he said.
