Why Australia Deserves To Have A Big Part In Golf's New Global Future
With golf possibly looking at a more global schedule in the future, we look at why Australia simply has to be at the forefront of those plans


Whatever the new world of men's pro golf looks like, most people would agree that a more global view needs to be taken - and few would argue that Australia needs to be top of the list for expansion.
The bumper crowds and electric atmosphere at the Grange Golf Club for LIV Golf Adelaide has proven what most of us already know - Australians love their sport and love their golf.
LIV Golf Adelaide was named the World's Best Golf Event at the World Golf Awards in 2023 and 2024 as a result of not only the number of fans attending but their passion for the sport and the atmosphere they generated.
But it's not a new thing as Australia has a long and rich history in the game of golf and some of the best courses in the world - those factors combined with such a vibrant fanbase means there really should be a big tournament or two staged Down Under in golf's new future.
US President Tump's intervention could speed up a PGA Tour-PIF deal being concluded, with Rory McIlroy one of those leading the call for a world tour format for the top players on the planet moving forward.
Australian fans have already shown they'll come out in droves to see the best golfers in the world - throw in McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler to Bryson DeChambeau and of course home hopes Cameron Smith and Adam Scott and you could have an all-time event.
The southern hemisphere climate lends itself to events being staged in November, December and January, typically the offseason in pro golf so scheduling shouldn't be too much of a problem either.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The size of the country and depth of quality of courses also means there could be something of an 'Australian Swing' if you revamped the Australian PGA, Australian Open and added a LIV Golf team event into the mix.
Rich history of golf in Australia
In truth it shouldn't have taken LIV Golf to open people's eyes to the potential of Australia, but thanks to Aussie Greg Norman's commitment to his home country the secret is now out that his homeland is a golfing hotbed.
Norman may be the most famous Aussie golfer but the list of greats is long - with none greater than five-time Open champion Peter Thomson, who won three Claret Jugs in a row, four in five years and added a fifth seven years later.
You have Major champions Ian Baker-Finch, Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Steve Elkington and Geoff Ogilvy in the men's ranks, with Karrie Webb a seven-time Major champion, three-time Major winner Jan Stephenson and recently Minjee Lee with two Majors under her belt in the women's game.
The Australian Amateur Championship is the second-oldest men's event of its kind in the world, while the Australian Open dates back to 1904 and the Australian PGA Championship was established in 1929.
Both have some illustrious names on the trophies too - Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Hale Irwin and Sam Torrance all won the PGA, while Jack Nicklaus was a six-time Australian Open champion.
Player also won the Australian Open seven times while Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen, Bobby Locke and Tom Watson won the title in the early years before Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy added their names to the list in more recent times.
The point is, this is not breaking new ground or developing a new territory for golf, more like bringing back some famous old tournaments that in their day attracted Major-like fields. It should really be a no-brainer.
What would an Australian swing look like?
OK, so we're deep into the hypotheticals now but all indications are that talks are progressing and Jay Monahan has indicated that he, President Trump and even PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan have the same sort of idea about what a 'one tour' golfing future looks like.
The PGA Tour have been accused of being too America-first before, and that was part of the reason for Norman being at the forefront of LIV Golf's emergence, so you'd think that this one tour idea would have some sort of global theme to it.
Again, things don't look too complicated logistically - the DP World Tour already co-sanctions the Australian Open and PGA tournaments so there's plenty of infrastructure already in place.
A post shared by LIV Golf (@livgolf_league)
A photo posted by on
Schedule-wise, those events taking place in November-December would be the sweetspot if the PGA Tour calendar looks similar to what it does right now - but of course things can change quickly.
If LIV Golf continues, as those in charge insist it will, then with a golfing harmony it would not be too hard to stage that as part of a three or four-week swing Down Under, with the PGA, Australian Open and LIV Golf team event all being held around the country.
Alternatively, a global schedule could look something like starting in the Middle East, heading to Australia and then moving straight to the West Coast Swing on the PGA Tour in February.
Schedules can be moved and changed about - but the main premise is that top-level golf needs to return to Oz in some form.
The glorious courses of the Australian sandbelt are some of the best in the world, but they're not the only ones - the tournaments are already in place and the fans are some of the best around. All we need now are the players.
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Hero Indian Open Prize Money Payout 2025
There's a prize fund of $2.25m up for grabs in India this week, with the champion taking home over $380,000
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Texas Children's Houston Open Payout 2025
There's a big prize money payout on offer at this week's Houston Open, with seven-figure checks going to the top two finishers at Memorial Park
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Hero Indian Open Prize Money Payout 2025
There's a prize fund of $2.25m up for grabs in India this week, with the champion taking home over $380,000
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Texas Children's Houston Open Payout 2025
There's a big prize money payout on offer at this week's Houston Open, with seven-figure checks going to the top two finishers at Memorial Park
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Billy Horschel Makes Birdie Of The Year After Left-Handed Shot At Valspar Championship
The 38-year-old produced a jaw-dropping left-handed approach shot in the final round at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course
By Mike Hall Published
-
Viktor Hovland Holds Off Justin Thomas To Win Valspar Championship
Viktor Hovland birdied the 16th and 17th to claim a one stroke victory over Justin Thomas in an epic final day at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Carlos Ortiz 'Overjoyed' To Earn Open Championship Spot After Pulling Away From LIV Rivals During International Series Macau Victory
The Mexican finished with a blistering six-under 64 to earn his second Asian Tour prize and clinch a spot at the 153rd Open Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'So Many People Have Supported Me And Believed In Me When I Stopped Doing It Myself' - Richard Mansell Shares Immense Gratitude After Last-Gasp Birdie Helps Englishman Clinch Maiden DP World Tour Title
Mansell birdied his final hole of the week at Laguna National Golf Resort Club to help him land the rain-affected Porsche Singapore Classic by a single stroke
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Valspar Championship Tee Times - Round Four
There’s a three-way tie for the lead ahead of the final round of the Valspar Championship, with Viktor Hovland looking for his first win since 2023
By Mike Hall Published
-
Watch: Sam Ryder Becomes Second Player To Make Ace At 2025 Valspar Championship With Slam Dunk Hole-In-One
The 35-year-old delighted fans with his brilliant effort towards the end of his third round at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course
By Mike Hall Published