Why Gayton McKenzie’s overconfidence in LIV Golf SA 2027 may be misplaced
Gayton McKenzie’s overconfidence about LIV Golf SA 2027 is misplaced amid financial uncertainties and lack of a new backer following the withdrawal of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman / IOL
To say SA Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie is a confident man is something of an understatement, but when he spoke with authority last week about the LIV Golf South Africa taking place in 2027, I found it quite mysterious.
Every day there seems to be a new development with LIV Golf since it was confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew its funding of the tour, said to be worth over $5 billion.
The fact is a new backer of the tour has not been announced. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil also confirmed the league will have to raise the money to keep it going. In 2024 alone, LIV Golf was said to be operating at a loss of approximately $461.8m.
All the confirmed figures and developments point to one thing: the future of LIV Golf is anything but certain.
McKenzie’s Controversial Statements on LIV Golf 2026 and South Africa Hosting
Yet, last week McKenzie conflated the success of the inaugural LIV Golf 2026 with its hosting next year despite the tour being plunged into turmoil when he said: "So let me say it clearly ... LIV Golf will go ahead as normal. The 2026 season is funded and running. And South Africa will host again next year.”
How exactly does he make that leap? Is he in close contact with O’Neil, and if he is, is he allowed to make that inside information public?
McKenzie, of course, did not divulge such information; instead, he spoke about how his department secured sponsors for the 2026 event in South Africa.
"When we first went out to get sponsors for LIV Golf in South Africa, it was not easy. It was a battle, but with those brave sponsors that did join us, we delivered the biggest golf event in the history of this continent. Today, sponsors are falling over their feet to be part of LIV Golf in South Africa – because they have seen what it is and what it does.”
The words from McKenzie struck me as PR 101, and for me, the future of LIV Golf SA is anything but clear.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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