In an electrifying finale at The Grange in Adelaide, the Ripper GC team from Australia clinched their maiden LIV Adelaide teams title in a thrilling playoff, while American golfer Brendan Steele secured his first individual LIV title amidst the frenzy of the final day.
Amidst roaring cheers from the home crowd, Ripper GC's captain, Cam Smith, teamed up with Marc Leishman to edge out the South African duo from Stinger GC, Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester, by a single shot on the second hole of a gripping two-man aggregate sudden-death playoff.
Following a tense first hole where both teams carded pars, Leishman secured a par and Smith a bogey on the subsequent play, while the Stingers faltered with bogeys from the greenside bunker on the par-4 18th. This victory marked Ripper GC's second LIV teams triumph and fulfilled a major goal for the team in 2024.
In a day marked by exceptional scores and favorable conditions, both teams concluded with record-breaking totals of 53-under-par, with Stinger GC finishing strong with a remarkable -24 in the final round, slightly ahead of Ripper GC's -20.
The Ripper GC contingent, led by stellar performances from Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman with final rounds of 7-under-par 65, alongside Matt Jones' 68 and Smith's 70, showcased unwavering resilience throughout the tournament. However, a last-minute bogey from Smith on his final hole in regulation play added tension to the playoff, only to be salvaged by missed birdie putts from the Stingers.
In the individual event, Brendan Steele secured victory with a closing round of 68, clinching a narrow one-shot lead over Louis Oosthuizen, who surged ahead with an impressive 7-under-par 65. Steele's triumph marked his first win since the Safeway Open in 2017, a testament to his skill and perseverance on the course.
South African Charl Schwartzel and Dean Burmester, alongside Australian favorites Joaquin Niemann, Marc Leishman, and Jon Rahm, along with American Andy Ogletree, featured in a competitive tie for third place at -16.
Despite a challenging start, Cam Smith's bid for the individual title faltered, finishing at 13-under and sharing 14th place with fellow Australians Leishman and Herbert, who showcased impressive back-to-back 65s over the weekend.
Matt Jones emerged as the top performer for Ripper GC, securing ninth place at 14-under, rounding off a memorable tournament for the Australian contingent.