RUSSIA, ST PETERSBURG - SEPTEMBER 12, 2025: Gayton McKenzie, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister of South Africa, speaks during the final session of the 2025 St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, chaired by Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Organising Committee Chairwoman of the United Cultures Forum, at the General Staff Building. /TASS Host Photo Agency St Petersburg Russia PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAt113 20250912_zaa_t113_603 Copyright: xAlexanderxDemianchukx
RUSSIA, ST PETERSBURG - SEPTEMBER 12, 2025: Gayton McKenzie, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister of South Africa, speaks during the final session of the 2025 St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, chaired by Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Organising Committee Chairwoman of the United Cultures Forum, at the General Staff Building. /TASS Host Photo Agency St Petersburg Russia PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAt113 20250912_zaa_t113_603 Copyright: xAlexanderxDemianchukx
Someone called the South African minister asking for 42 LIV Golf tickets, just four hours before the tournament began. And he wasn't even the last person to call.
On March 22, LIV Golf shared a video on X saying tickets for its 2027 South Africa event were now on sale. In the video, the South African Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, talked about getting late-night calls from people trying hard to get tickets.
"Last night, people are calling me, 'Listen, can you not make a plan for a ticket?'" he said.
"I said, 'Yeah, how many do you need?' He says, 'I need 42.' I'm like, '42?'"
The demand is real, and this week at The Club at Steyn City near Johannesburg proved it.
LIV Golf sold around 90,000 tickets for its first event in Africa, making it one of the most attended events in the league's history. The organizers built a temporary stadium called The Lion's Den around the par-3 17th hole, creating a fun "party hole" like at other LIV events.
Louis Oosthuizen, captain of the all-South African Southern Guards team, said before the tournament that even he did not expect things to grow this fast.
"Realistically, we were thinking of getting it hopefully in '28, maybe in '27," Oosthuizen said.
"But yeah, we had some great support from the minister and from Steyn City and from everyone."
The tournament is expected to generate close to $60 million for the local economy, according to SA News. To put that in perspective, LIV Golf's biggest crowd came recently in Adelaide, where about 115,000 fans turned up to watch Anthony Kim win.
In the USA, the highest turnout was around 60,000 at the Indianapolis event last August. With roughly 90,000 fans, South Africa's numbers sit right in between those two.
LIV Golf South Africa's 2027 Return Already Has the Minister Talking
The minister ended his comments with a clear message for fans who missed out this week. "It's the 22nd of April. On the 25th of April next year, LIV Golf is coming back," he said.
"This is becoming the headquarters of LIV Golf."
Trending slideshow: Beautiful Golf Courses in South Africa, Ranked
Dolly Bhamrick
Beautiful Golf Courses in South Africa, RankedSouth Africa is home to some of the world’s most spectacular golf courses, places where dramatic landscapes, championship architecture, and unforgettable experiences come together. From cliff-top fairways carved above the ocean to historic layouts shaped by legendary designers, every course tells its own story. Whether you’re planning your next golfing getaway or simply love stunning course design, this list reveals South Africa’s finest, ranked for their beauty, challenge, and pure wow-factor. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network GolfweekOpened in 1922, the Durban Country Club was built on rolling dune terrain by Scottish pro George Waterman, assisted by local champion Laurie Waters. Over the decades, it has hosted major tournaments, including the South African Open and the Volvo Golf Champions in 2013-14. The combination of seaside views, historic layout, and tournament pedigree makes this course a must-see for golf and design fans alike. Via Durban Country ClubEstablished around 1998/99, the Arabella Golf Club was designed by architect Peter Matkovich, situated along the Bot River Lagoon near the Kogelberg Mountains. It served as the host of the Nelson Mandela Invitational (2000-2006) and later the Gary Player Invitational. With water-edged holes, intimate scenery, and a strong tournament history, Arabella offers both beauty and substance. Via ArabellaNestled beside the Crocodile River on the border of Kruger National Park, this course opened around 1996 as one of South Africa’s most exclusive layouts. Crafted by Gary Player (with Phil Jacobs), the course quickly established itself as a true championship venue. Since 2004, it has hosted the Alfred Dunhill Championship. A confluence of luxury, wilderness and high-level golf, Leopard Creek stands out for both design and tournament pedigree. Via Leopard Creek Country ClubGlendower Golf Club in Gauteng opened in March 1937, designed by Charles Hugh Alison in the classic parkland tradition. Over the decades, it has hosted the South African Open multiple times, solidifying its status among South Africa’s elite golfing venues. Mature trees, water hazards and strategic bunkering combine with the weight of tournament history to make Glendower a course where heritage and performance meet. Via Glendower Golf CourseSt Francis Links in the Eastern Cape opened in 2005 as a Jack Nicklaus signature design set among dunes and Atlantic breezes. The links-style layout channels coastal terrain into a modern championship course, and it has featured as part of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Tour on the Sunshine Tour. With its dramatic setting and heritage of tournament play, St Francis offers a stylised blend of natural beauty and competitive challenge. Via St Francis LinksThe Links at Fancourt in the Western Cape opened around 2000 and was designed by Gary Player (with support) as part of a luxury resort complex. The course hosted the Coca-Cola Charity Championship on the Sunshine Tour from 2006 to 2010, underscoring its competitive credentials. Its design, vast fairways, bold bunkers, and sweeping terrain make it a standout in South African golf, combining the flair of resort golf with tournament-grade ambition. Via Fancourt HotelPearl Valley opened its fairways in 2003, emerging as one of Jack Nicklaus’s finest South African designs. Set within the Cape Winelands, the course flows between pristine lakes, manicured fairways, and dramatic mountain backdrops. Its championship pedigree includes hosting the South African Open in 2007 and 2008, where some of the world’s best tested its precise bunkering and demanding water carries. Via Pearl Valley GolfEstablished in 1912, The River Club is one of South Africa’s most exclusive private golf sanctuaries. Redesigned over the years by master architect Bob Grimsdell, the layout is manicured to perfection and renowned for its Augusta-like elegance. While the club maintains a strictly private character and rarely hosts professional events, its history of elite amateur championships and meticulous conditioning make it a symbol of golfing prestige in Johannesburg. Via The River ClubCarved into cliffs above the Indian Ocean, Pinnacle Point opened in 2006 under the artistic vision of designer Peter Matkovich. Every hole feels like a postcard, where fairways cling to rocky ledges and tee shots fly over ocean ravines. Though it has not hosted major professional tournaments, Pinnacle Point remains a bucket-list destination for golfers seeking heart-stopping beauty and unforgettable coastal drama. Via Pinnacle Point EstateHighland Gate opened in 2015 as a proud Ernie Els signature design shaped into the rolling hills of Mpumalanga. The course blends dramatic elevation changes with peaceful trout streams and sweeping views across the Steenkampsberg. Its reputation as a tournament venue is reinforced through hosting the Vodacom Origins of Golf, where Sunshine Tour pros tackle its bold bunkers and mountain winds. Highland Gate delivers championship golf wrapped in natural tranquility. Via Highland GateUnveiled in 2005, Simola is a refined Jack Nicklaus signature course set high above Knysna, offering panoramic views of forests, rivers, and the lagoon below. Its layout embraces elevation and curvature, guiding players through quiet woodland corridors and dramatic vantage points. Simola has proudly hosted Sunshine Tour’s Vodacom Origins events, showcasing its tour-ready greens and strategic shaping. Via Simola Hotel, Country Club & SpaZimbali’s championship course opened in 1996, masterminded by former Open Champion Tom Weiskopf. The design winds through lush coastal forest with wetlands, steep drops, and wildlife-dotted fairways, creating constant drama. A recurring venue for Sunshine Tour’s Vodacom Origins, Zimbali challenges professionals with its narrow landing areas and shifting coastal winds. It's one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most atmospheric and architecturally exciting layouts. Via Zimbali EstateDating back to 1910, Pretoria Country Club blends more than a century of heritage with a modern redesign by Gary Player. The course now features sculpted bunkers, gentle water hazards, and strategic routing that rewards both precision and nerve. Although primarily a members’ club, it has hosted important regional events including Tshwane Open qualifying and top-tier amateur tournaments. It remains a classic parkland experience in the heart of the capital. Via Pretoria Country ClubOriginally built in the 1960s by Sid Brews and revitalized in 2015 by Sean Quinn, Firethorn is a robust championship layout with wide fairways and greens that demand respect. Its tournament résumé includes hosting the South African Open in 2020 and 2021, as well as the Joburg Open, cementing its position as one of Gauteng’s premier competitive venues. Firethorn is powerful, modern, and built for big moments in golf.
You may also read: Minnesota’s 20 Most Challenging Golf Courses to ConquerVia Randpark ClubDe Zalze opened in 2000, designed by Peter Matkovich across the scenic Spier Wine Estate. Vineyards, rivers, and mountain silhouettes guide the course’s peaceful rhythm as holes weave around water features and tree-lined avenues. The club has been home to Ladies European Tour events and several Sunshine Tour tournaments, giving it a strong competitive presence. De Zalze is both welcoming and cleverly crafted, perfect for players seeking beauty with strategic bite.
You may also check: Top 9 Golf Courses in Friendly North DakotaVia De Zalze Golf Club
LIV has not confirmed full details for the 2027 event yet, but the league has already announced a multi-year plan to keep playing in South Africa. Tickets for next year's event went on sale on March 22 for a short time.
As for the guy who asked for 42 tickets, he has probably already got them.
What do you think about LIV Golf growing in South Africa? Tell us more in the comments below.
