LIV Golf sent warning over Australia event: "We are monitoring it pretty closely"

Australian MP Peter Malinauskas has warned LIV Golf the country won't be interested in staging one of the breakaway tour's most popular events should they not secure star names such as Cameron Smith.

LIV Golf's future is far from certain after the league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States in September.

Sources indicate LIV are extremely confident that it will bounce back in 2027 with some players from its existing roster and some new recruits.

LIV were handed a boost earlier in the week after reportedly receiving commitments from 15 golfers to take part in a re-imagined version of the league, dubbed "2.0".

But several notables have already walked away, indicating that they want no part of LIV's new era.

The latest departures have intensified doubts over whether the league can assemble a strong enough field to justify bringing its popular Adelaide tournament back in 2027.

Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell became the latest high-profile name to reject the proposed relaunch, while Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Tom McKibbin have also announced they are moving on. 

Australian Lucas Herbert has confirmed he will leave LIV to pursue a return to the DP World Tour, dealing another significant blow to the all-Australian Ripper GC.

Attention now turns to captain Smith, the 2022 Open champion, whose future remains uncertain.

Court documents reveal he has sought a release from his LIV contract, although he has yet to publicly confirm his plans.

Smith previously indicated he was open to the idea of staying, but wanted more answers from LIV's leadership before making a decision. 

Malinauskas, the South Australian premier, has made clear that LIV's assurances alone will not guarantee the tournament's return.

"It's tricky," he told Australian radio station SEN.

"LIV Golf are officially telling us that they are all systems go to be back here.

"But we are monitoring it pretty closely. What's happening with the players is going to be the most instructive outcome here.

"It's very important to us they keep the likes of Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau in that playing roster; that underpins the success of the event."

He added: "We're not going to go through with LIV unless they put on the standard of event they have put on in the past, which has been truly exceptional."

LIV is attempting to secure new investment after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its financial backing. 

London-based private equity firm BC Partners has offered up to $300m to support a revamped 2027 circuit, conditional on sufficient player commitments.

A soft deadline of 25 October was in place, though reports suggest it has been pushed back by five days.

That deadline has been extended to October 30, leaving the league with little time to resolve its roster and financial uncertainty.

LIV hire former TaylorMade boss

Meanwhile, LIV has announced the appointment of former Taylor Made and Adidas executive Mark King as senior adviser.

King, who will begin the role effective immediately, brings a wealth of experience and is one of the most respected executives in the golf industry. 

Telegraph Sport reported in October 2022 he was lined up to replace Greg Norman as the commissioner, with the former Open champion "moved upstairs".

King said: "Having spent much of my career in golf, I believe there is a tremendous opportunity for LIV Golf to establish itself as a competitive and enduring force in the game."

In the same announcement, the league said it "remains laser focused on advancing its conversations with players regarding their participation" in LIV 2.0.

The lawyer representing LIV told a bankruptcy court hearing earlier this month it needed to sign a "sufficient number of players to have a bona fide golf league".

The lawyer added LIV would know by the end of October whether it could proceed with LIV 2.0 or move to winding down the breakaway league.

LIV claim they are still generating "inbound interest from established, elite professionals and emerging talent across global professional golf".