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With 48 hours left until the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa event at The Club at Steyn City, teams spent the day fine-tuning their preparations on the course and gathered in front of media to share their views and excitement ahead of the league’s first visit to Africa.

Home team Southern Guards GC reflected on what the event means to them and the country. In addition, Legion XIII led by Jon Rahm, recent LIV Golf Singapore winner Bryson DeChambeau and the Crushers squad, as well as league leaders Ripper GC all addressed the media today during the official pre-tournament press conferences ahead of LIV Golf South Africa 2026.

Off the course, Southern Guards GC hosted local children at the course for their Southern Guards GC Academy Clinic as part of their foundation and league impact initiatives.
SOUTHERN GUARDS GC PREPARE FOR INAUGURAL HOME EVENT
Click here for Southern Guards GC press conference Transcript | Video

On his feelings at having the chance to represent his country at home, team captain Oosthuizen said, “We were extremely proud walking through here yesterday. Once everyone gets through the gates, they’re going to see what this event is really about. The bigger picture for me is that we enjoy this week and show everyone our beautiful country. That’s our main goal.”

Pushed on whether he’d prefer an individual or team victory come Sunday, he said, “Being part of a team with three good friends is more important than the individual for me.”

The long-standing sporting rivalry between South Africa and Australia has been one of the key storylines leading into this week. Reflecting on their friendly rivalry with Ripper GC, Dean Burmeister said, “Being part of that playoff in Adelaide was one of the best things I’ve ever done in the game of golf. Now we get the opportunity to do it at home and represent South Africa in that kind of team environment – that’s really special. We know the crowds will get behind us.

The prospect of playing at home for the first time was something Charl Schwartzel and the team have been waiting for. He said, “This week I think we’ll be looking at the team score more than we normally do. There’s never been a golf event in South Africa set up like this. It’s really amazing and makes you very proud. When LIV started, we were told what it could become and now you’re seeing it come to life.”

Reflecting on the team’s early season form coming into this event, Branden Grace said, “Maybe this is exactly what we need – coming home, playing in front of our fans, being comfortable and relaxed.”

RAHM AND LEGION XIII ON COMPETING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Click here for Legion XIII press conference Transcript | Video

Although a younger member of the Legion XIII team, Tom McKibbon gave useful insight on his experience from competing in South Africa, saying, Tom McKibbon on his experiences playing in South Africa, “I’ve had very good weeks playing golf here. I’ve also had very bad weeks playing golf here. As I played more, I almost overcomplicated it a little bit with the altitude. The last couple of times I’ve been here, I went back to making it a little bit simpler.
RIPPER GC LOOK TO CONTINUE TEAM FORUM
Click here for the Ripper GC press conference Transcript | Video

Team Captain Cameron Smith reflected on their goals this week and the rivalry with Southern Guard GC, saying, “We’re all really determined to keep the momentum going… At the moment we’re all playing really good golf and feel confident. I love the South African guys, but I’d like nothing more than for us to whip them this week.”

Commenting on how the first few events of the 2026 have played out, Riyadh’s debut winner Elvis Smylie said, “Every week this season has had an amazing story attached to it. It shows how strong this league really is. We’ve got a lot of great young talent in the league and it’s equally valuable to learn from the more experienced guys out there.”
DECHAMBEAU AND CRUSHERS GC REFLECT ON THE FUTURE OF GOLF AND HOW LIV IS EVOLVING THE GAME
Click here for the Crushers GC press conference Transcript | Video

Commenting on his perspective on the future of golf, DeChambeau said, “I do think there’s an opportunity in the future for team golf to be at the forefront of golf, taking a leaf out of sports like Football where team rivalries and storylines run so deep. I think there’s something great to consider in how team sports create storylines and entertainment that individual sports don’t necessarily do.

Paul Casey was given a chance to give his views on the legacy of South African golf, saying “South African golf has always been world-class. As long as I’ve been playing, we always looked up to a lot of South African players and their skills. You don’t produce world-class golfers if you don’t have world-class facilities, and you’ve got world-class golfers.”

While the world’s top golfers prepare to tee off at the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa, the Southern Guards GC team is already making a meaningful impact beyond the course through its youth development initiatives.

In the lead-up to the tournament, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester and Branden Grace hosted a youth golf clinic at Steyn City, welcoming children from the neighbouring Diepsloot community for an immersive introduction to the game. Delivered as part of the Southern Guards GC Academy Development Programme, the clinic combined basic putting instruction, fun skill-based drills and friendly competition, while giving participants the opportunity to spend time with some of South Africa’s most accomplished golfers.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with LIV Golf, the Steyn City Foundation and Element Golf Academy, forms part of a 12-month programme that blends golf development with mentorship and life skills, reinforcing the power of sport to inspire, uplift and create opportunity within underserved communities.
The tournament will further champion a series of on-site community initiatives throughout the week:

• Inspiring the Next Generation of Golfers: On Thursday, 19 March 2026, LIV Golf South Africa will host the next generation of golfers, and welcome over 1,000 youth athletes from golf schools across Gauteng to experience the opening day of the tournament, offering young fans a rare opportunity to witness world-class golf up close.
• Diepsloot Fan Village: Bringing the tournament closer to the community, a dedicated Fan Village in Diepsloot will run from Thursday to Sunday (12:00–17:00). The space will feature a large-screen live broadcast, creating an inclusive and shared viewing experience for residents unable to attend in person.
• Access for Local Communities: As part of its commitment to inclusivity, LIV Golf South Africa will open its gates to thousands of local residents on Thursday, ensuring surrounding communities can be part of the live event experience.
• World of Golf Partnership: From 19–22 March 2026, in partnership with World of Golf, the partnership will offer free access to golf lessons, practice facilities and an interactive fan zone at World of Golf in Woodmead, allowing new audiences to engage with and experience the game first-hand.