LIV Golf's Heat Rule Leaves Players Split as One Choice Stands Out in Extreme Conditions
Sotogrande, Spain, July 13th 2025 LIV Golf Andalucia 2025 banner with logo and slogan Long LIV Golf at the Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande, Spain Andres Lopez Sheridan / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xAndresxLopezxSheridanxx/xSPPx spp-en-AnLoShSp-ALS_LIV-7
Sotogrande, Spain, July 13th 2025 LIV Golf Andalucia 2025 banner with logo and slogan Long LIV Golf at the Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande, Spain Andres Lopez Sheridan / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xAndresxLopezxSheridanxx/xSPPx spp-en-AnLoShSp-ALS_LIV-7
Extreme heat at Steyn City has put LIV Golf’s relaxed uniform policy into focus, as players respond differently to one key choice: shorts or long pants.
With the heat index nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Midrand, players can wear shorts during competitive rounds, a rule already used across tours like the DP World Tour and in Asia but still not allowed on the PGA Tour.
“I will be straight back to shorts if I can find them after the presser, I think,” Lucas Herbert said. He also noted that players are allowed to make the switch once the heat index crosses the 90-degree mark.
The rule does not force players into a single approach. Some treat the threshold as a signal to switch for comfort, while others stick to long-standing habits regardless of conditions.
At the pre-tournament press conference, the divide was clear. Two players opted for shorts, while others stayed in long pants. In conditions like these, the option to switch carries more weight, making the choice stand out.
“I love wearing long pants. I wore long pants last week and it was a million degrees,” Cam Smith said.
LIV GOLF PRESSER, Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie, Cam Smith and Lucas Herbert of the Ripper GC Squad speak during a LIV Golf media opportunity at LIV Golf Adelaide Media Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. NO ARCHIVING Adelaide South Australia Australia PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xMattxTurnerx 20260210133122212940
LIV GOLF PRESSER, Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie, Cam Smith and Lucas Herbert of the Ripper GC Squad speak during a LIV Golf media opportunity at LIV Golf Adelaide Media Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. NO ARCHIVING Adelaide South Australia Australia PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xMattxTurnerx 20260210133122212940
Within the same group, the contrast continued. Teammates joked about Elvis Smylie’s outfit, suggesting he could show up in something as unexpected as a turtleneck.
The conditions may be a talking point, but they are only part of the challenge this week.
Chasing Adelaide Rivalry Spirit on South African Soil
Beyond the conditions, there is added motivation for the week.
Going back to South Africa brings that rivalry into a different setting, with familiar conditions and strong home support in play. For the visiting side, dealing with both is part of the test.
Marc Leishman pointed to the 2024 Adelaide team playoff, where the Rippers faced a South African side in front of a large home crowd.
“I mean, there is always juice every week, but I think there is definitely motivation for the Southern Guards,” Leishman said.
He added that the South African side would be looking to respond after that result, especially with home support behind them.
With temperatures rising, both factors will shape how the week unfolds.
Read more at Daily Club Golf!
Written by
Abhishek Sharma
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav