Category: LIV Tour

Adelaide, Australia — Jon Rahm has taken the lead heading into the weekend at LIV Golf Adelaide with an immaculate nine-under 63, positioning himself as the favourite for the $4 million first prize at The Grange Golf Club.

Rahm’s blemish-free round highlighted a strong opening stretch for LIV Golf League‘s Adelaide event, the second stop of the 2026 season. The Spanish player’s consistency and precision with the putter have given him a commanding advantage as the field enters the weekend phase of competition.

The Adelaide tournament marks a significant moment for professional golf, as this is the first LIV Golf event to award Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, underscoring the league’s integration into the broader competitive structure of professional golf.

## Fierce Competition at Pebble Beach

Across the Pacific, the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am continues to attract the world’s elite players. Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, headlines the field competing on the iconic California coastline. The tournament, which carries a $20 million purse with $3.6 million for the victor, represents the first PGA Tour Signature Event of the season.

Title defender Rory McIlroy returns to defend his crown, while emerging star Chris Gotterup has captured attention with two victories in as many weeks. His back-to-back wins at the Sony Open and Phoenix Open have positioned him as a genuine threat. DACH representatives Stephan Jäger and Sepp Straka, a four-time PGA Tour winner, are competing alongside Matti Schmid.

## Record Pursuits and Veteran Excellence

Meanwhile, legendary German golfer Bernhard Langer continues his remarkable career at the Chubb Classic on the PGA Tour Champions. The 68-year-old is pursuing a record-tying sixth title at the Florida event. With 47 Champions Tour victories already to his credit—a record itself—Langer remains a formidable competitor on the seniors circuit. Fellow German Alex Cejka, 55, is also competing in Naples.

The week also features extensive participation from German, Austrian, and Swiss golfers across multiple tours. The Ladies European Tour opened its season with the PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh, where German talents including Laura Funfstuck, the recent winner of the PIF London Championship, are competing for the $5 million prize fund.

A blemish-free, 9-under 63 gives Jon Rahm the lead heading into the weekend down under 🇦🇺#LIVGolfAdelaide | @LegionXIIIgc pic.twitter.com/CMszSnLVOB

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) February 13, 2026

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The LIV Golf League witnessed a rare moment of brilliance on the greens this week as Pau Corrius recorded the third albatross in the league’s history during competition in Adelaide.

The remarkable double-eagle puts Corrius in exclusive company within the relatively young professional circuit. Only two other players have achieved the feat since LIV Golf’s inception: Richard Bland during the Mexico event in 2025, and Brendan Steele at the Greenbrier tournament in 2024.

A Rare Achievement on Golf’s Biggest Stage

Albatrosses remain among golf’s most elusive achievements, requiring a player to score three under par on a single hole. In professional competition, such moments are celebrated across the sport, regardless of tour affiliation. For a player to join this distinguished group at an international event underscores both the caliber of competition and the element of fortune required for such a shot.

The Adelaide event, held at The Grange Golf Club, continues to showcase exceptional play from the league’s competitors. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith represent among the top contenders competing this week.

The Ripper GC Connection

The home team advantage looms large at the Australian venue. Ripper GC, featuring Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, and breakout star Elvis Smylie, brings momentum into the event after sweeping both individual and team honors at the Riyadh tournament last week. The 23-year-old Smylie announced his arrival on the global stage with a debut victory, signaling a changing of the guard in professional golf.

The tournament represents the first LIV Golf event where competitors earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, elevating the competitive significance for players worldwide. Among the international contingent competing this week is Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who captains the Cleeks GC team.

The Adelaide event continues through February 15, with Corrius’ albatross already etched into LIV Golf lore.

🔥THE THIRD ALBATROSS IN LIV GOLF LEAGUE HISTORY 🔥 @PuigCorrius

Richard Bland: Mexico '25 🇲🇽
Brendan Steele: Greenbrier '24 🇺🇸#LIVGolfAdelaide | @fireballsgc_ pic.twitter.com/ePEMCK2oVN

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) February 13, 2026

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Anthony Kim has secured a team placement for the remainder of the 2026 LIV Golf League season, joining Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC. The move marks a transition from his previous status as an independent Wild Card player to a full-time team member.

Kim’s placement represents a significant development in LIV Golf’s competitive structure, as the league continues to refine its team compositions ahead of the Adelaide event this week. The 4Aces GC roster now features a strengthened lineup as the season progresses through its early events.

Team Structure and Season Momentum

The 4Aces GC joins other competitive teams in the LIV Golf League as they prepare for the Adelaide event at The Grange Golf Club this week. With prize money reaching 30 million USD for the tournament—including 4 million for the individual winner and 3 million for the team champion—teams are actively positioning themselves for strong performances throughout the season.

Kim’s integration into the 4Aces GC roster comes as the league has introduced Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for LIV Golf events, adding another dimension to competition. The transition from Wild Card status to permanent team membership provides Kim with consistency and team support as the season develops.

The move underscores LIV Golf’s continued evolution in team dynamics and player positioning as it establishes itself within the broader professional golf landscape.

Anthony Kim will join Dustin Johnson ’s 4Aces GC for the remainder of the 2026 LIV Golf season, transitioning from an independent Wild Card player to a full team member 🙌#LIVGolfAdelaide | @4AcesGC_ https://t.co/3yxLXHJ68X

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) February 12, 2026

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Elvis Smylie has become the first player to benefit from the Official World Golf Ranking’s recognition of LIV Golf League events, climbing from 133rd to 77th in the world rankings following his debut victory in Riyadh last week.

Elvis Smylie made a memorable impression during his debut at LIV Golf Riyadh 2026, delivering a solid championship performance in the final round that showcased his potential on the professional stage. The Australian golfer’s complete final round has been documented, highlighting every shot from his impressive display in Saudi Arabia’s capital.

The LIV Golf League season opener in Riyadh marked a significant milestone for the circuit, featuring an expanded field of 57 players and extending to a four-round format for the first time. This format change provided additional opportunities for players like Smylie to demonstrate their skills over a longer tournament duration.

Expanded Format Creates New Opportunities

The tournament’s evolution to a four-round format represents a strategic shift for LIV Golf, moving closer to traditional professional golf tournament structures while maintaining the league’s distinctive team-based approach. This change offered players an additional day to make their mark and provided fans with extended coverage of competitive play.

Smylie’s performance during his final round demonstrated the caliber of play that has characterized the LIV Golf series since its inception. His shot-by-shot execution throughout the round highlighted both technical precision and competitive composure under pressure.

Australian Talent on Display

The Australian golfer’s debut performance adds to the international character of the LIV Golf League, which continues to attract talent from various golfing nations. Smylie’s final round showcase provides insight into the competitive depth present in the league’s expanded field format.

His complete final round documentation offers golf enthusiasts the opportunity to analyze professional shot-making decisions and course management strategies employed during championship-level play. The performance serves as a testament to the competitive standards maintained throughout the LIV Golf circuit.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Ripper GC heads into the LIV Golf Riyadh season opener with confidence as the team prepares for their first appearance on Saudi Arabian soil. The Australian-dominated squad, led by Cameron Smith, arrives at the inaugural Riyadh event in strong form following their performances in the previous season.