Staff WriterLIV Golf Adelaide has a funny way of making grown men behave like kids in a sweet shop—only the sweets are birdies, the shop is The Grange, and the hangover lasts four rounds.
Marc Leishman, the elder statesman of the all-Australian Rippers, walked into Thursday like a man who still remembers what it felt like to win on home soil—and would quite like another helping, this time with the individual trophy tucked under his arm. He produced the opening round’s only bogey-free score, a 6-under 66, to share the lead with Bryson DeChambeau.
And if you’re wondering whether Adelaide still brings the noise, the answer is yes—loudly, enthusiastically, and sometimes with the subtlety of a marching band in a library. Leishman knows exactly what it means.
“I was part of the team win in 2024, and that felt like winning a major for me,” the 42-year-old Leishman said. “It was pretty awesome to have so many people that were equally as happy to celebrate with. I think an Australian winning here would be massive.”
He did it the hard way and the smart way: taking advantage of the par 5s on the back half of his round, making birdies at holes 7, 9 and 10, and rolling in the kind of par putts that feel like small miracles when the wind starts flicking your golf ball around like it owes it money.
“I made the putts that kept momentum going, which I think is important when it’s windy like today,” he said. “You’ve got a gettable golf course, but it can also jump up and grab you.”
DeChambeau’s “how on earth did that happen?” birdie
If Leishman’s round was a tidy ledger, DeChambeau’s had a splash of slapstick—followed by an outrageous recovery act.
On the 529-yard par-5 10th, DeChambeau topped his tee shot. Not a little “caught it thin” job. A full-blooded, line-drive-meets-the-floor moment that hit the ground immediately, then bounced off the cart path… and still ran out 245 yards. Because LIV Golf Adelaide, apparently, does not do normal.
What happened next was classic Bryson: a perfect 3-wood 288 yards to the green, then a two-putt from 30 feet for birdie, as if the whole thing had been planned as content.
“Last time I did that was the 2021 Players Championship off the 4th tee box and it cost me The Players,” DeChambeau said. “I’ve done it before. But that shot was more of a thin shot. [Thursday] I just hit too far down on the ball. I actually struck it nicely. It was a perfect strike right into the tee box. It was awesome. Got to make sure I don’t hit it with too negative an attack angle next time.”
Anthony Kim becomes an Ace — and immediately looks the part
Before a ball was struck, the 4Aces GC celebrated its signing of Anthony Kim, filling the vacancy left by Patrick Reed’s departure before the season. Kim has been an independent Wild Card player since returning to professional golf after a 12-year absence to join LIV Golf. Thursday was the first time he wore 4Aces apparel.
“Still getting used to it,” he said.
He looked plenty comfortable by the end of the day. After closing with five birdies in his last eight holes, Kim posted a 5-under 67 to sit tied for third alongside his new captain, Dustin Johnson, who also fired a 67 and sprinkled in two eagles for good measure.
“I think he looks good in an Aces uniform,” said Johnson, whose own round included two eagles. “Obviously he plays good in it too.”
The early data loved Kim, too: he led the field in Greens in Regulation and Strokes Gained Approach on Thursday—about as loud a “hello” as you can manage without a marching band.
Team race: 4Aces jump out front
With Johnson and Kim both at 67, the 4Aces took a two-shot lead in the team competition at -10, ahead of a logjam at -8: Torque GC, RangeGoats GC, and the Rippers.
Leishman, who knows Adelaide week can be as demanding off the course as on it, said the Rippers have learned to handle the hometown pull more efficiently this time.
“I think we’ve done a really good job this week, sort of managing commitments and keeping everything really efficient, keeping practice efficient, feeling well-prepared and rested,” Leishman said. “Hopefully that will help me at the end of the week.”
New Wild Card, defending champ, and the Watering Hole
There was more movement beyond the top.
Miguel Tabuena was named as the Wild Card player for the remainder of the season, becoming the first player from the Philippines to compete full-time on LIV Golf. Tabuena fills the spot vacated by Kim’s move to the 4Aces.
“This opportunity proves that The International Series is a real pathway to LIV Golf,” said Tabuena, who shot an opening-round 3-under 69 that left him tied for ninth. “I didn’t earn the automatic spot straight away, but I played well across the season, and the LIV team saw that. It shows that if you compete on the Asian Tour and perform in The International Series, doors can open.”
Defending individual champ Joaquín Niemann opened his title defence with a 4-under 68, while the RangeGoats’ Bubba Watson produced the closest tee shot to the pin at the famed par-3 12th “Watering Hole,” knocking it to three feet for birdie—Adelaide’s party pit doing what Adelaide’s party pit does.
Dates confirmed: 2027 move to Kooyonga in March
And for those already planning ahead (which, in golf, is everyone), LIV confirmed a venue and schedule shift: LIV Golf Adelaide 2027 will be played March 18-21 at Kooyonga Golf Club.
“Doing it in March is important for us,” said Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia. “It fits strategically in the calendar right well. Weather is a variable.Like the weather this weekend looks really good, but it’s going to be pretty hot on Sunday. Just mathematically, your odds improve in March. Of course there are never any guarantees, but strategically for the state, we think March works well.
“It also speaks to a time of the year where the anticipation has started to grow with the Masters. The golf season globally is more underway in March than it is at this time of year.”
Tickets for 2027 LIV Golf Adelaide go on sale Monday for a limited pre-sale window.
