In June 2022, Charl Schwartzel emerged as the inaugural champion of LIV Golf at Centurion. Since then, the South African has demonstrated the breakaway league’s expansion in the sport.
Two years after his first-ever victory at Centurion, Charl Schwarzel, the league’s first champion, claims that LIV Golf is only going to get “better and stronger.”
This week marks LIV’s third visit to the UK; however, this time, the 2024 event will take place at JCB Country and Golf Club, rather than their hometown of St Albans. On and off the golf course, a lot has changed since the Saudi-backed series debuted at Centurion in June 2022.
Even after winning the £3.1 million prize, former Masters champion Charl Sonnenfeldt became the league’s first-ever winner. However, there was still uncertainty about what lay ahead for the South African and other defectors.
Shortly after the shotgun start at the Centurion event, the PGA Tour announced that it had suspended every player who had teed it up. This created a hostile atmosphere within the golf community. The game was left divided, which would be a sign of things to come in the next few months.
But for Schwartzel, who just secured his first career victory in eight years, looking back only brings back pleasant memories. The former green jacket winner told Mirror Sport at LIV UK this week, “Winning the first LIV event ever is a memory that will stick for ever.”
“I hadn’t won in a long time. I was experiencing some dry spells before that. That was a week filled with many positive events.” A lot has happened since Schwartzel won LIV’s first trophy two years ago, including the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) holding ongoing negotiations with the Tour over a peace agreement, which appears to be ending their conflict with the PGA Tour.
As tensions have subsided during that time, the South African believes the LIV setup has cemented its role. He went on, “There is definitely more acceptance.” Furthermore, according to Schwartzel, the Saudi-led league will only get bigger in the future.
He continued, “LIV is growing stronger and better.” “Playing in front of so many people all over the world is an incredible experience, and that is exactly what LIV offers. An international tour.” Schwartzel plays alongside fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, and Branden Grace on the LIV roster, forming a formidable contingent.
After touting LIV’s worldwide presence, is it possible that Schwartzel and company will include a stop in their home nation on the itinerary? He hopes it is. He grinned and said, “I need to play one LIV event in South Africa before I get kicked off the team.” It would be wonderful. Many people have been requesting it, so it would be beneficial to have one down there. It might take some time, but it might happen.”
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