WESTWOOD HOPING ADELAIDE WILL BE START OF A NEW ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA RIVALRY

Thanks to the team aspect of LIV Golf, Majesticks have a chance to silence the record crowd expected at The Grange. Co-Captains Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, alongside Sam Horsfield and Stenson, are obviously looking at finishing better than the other 12 teams in the competition, including the all-Australian, and hence the overwhelming favourites, Ripper GC.

Unlike cricket, which has the two countries contesting for the always-thrilling Ashes series, and rugby, where a Lions vs Wallabies match is perennially edgy, golf did not have the benefit of a similar team contest, but that is a possibility now.

Westwood, who turned 51 on Wednesday, knows a thing or two about disappointing Aussie fans. Among his earlier professional wins was the 1997 Holden Australian Open. And the man he beat – none other than Greg Norman, now the Commissioner of LIV Golf.

“I let him know about that week every now and again, but winning this week would be the icing on the cake,” said Westwood.

“Winning any time is really special but given the sporting history between England and Australia, it would be that much more special to win the trophy Down Under. Especially with how many people are expected to be attending across the three days.”

With more than 120,000 spectators expected to attend LIV Golf Adelaide, Westwood is delighted for the passionate fans in Australia, who have been deprived of world-class golf tournaments despite having produced some of the sport’s finest stars.

“I think it shows how much it means to the Australian public with the attendance of the event. They now have the chance to root for their boys on home soil,” explained the three-time DP World Tour Order of Merit champion.

“Similarly, when we play in the UK, it really does feel like a home event. The rivalry is something that is going to build up more and more over time, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Westwood, who shares his birthday (April 24), with Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, said Ashes is the one England-Australia sporting rivalry that he enjoys the most.

“It has to be the Ashes. We have seen some of the best sporting battles over the years when both teams meet on a bi-annual basis,” said Westwood.

“It is a sporting event I always look forward to watching, it captivates both nations. Similar to the majors in golf, the contest transcends the sport and the common sports fan would tune in, whether they are a cricket fan or not.”

With encouraging signs of all their members returning to form, the Majesticks are hoping to turn around their fortune in Adelaide. They narrowly missed on a first podium finish since the middle of 2022 in Hong Kong, where they were in contention for the better part of Sunday, before dropping to fourth place.

The three Co-Captains have been paired together for the opening round and will start on the fourth hole on Friday.