14 May 2023 , 19:20
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Dustin Johnson has hailed the support for LIV Golf and his 4 Aces team, as the breakaway circuit's inaugural champion eyes yet another £3.2 million title at LIV Tulsa this weekend.
Since forming last June, LIV has rocked the world of professional golf, and for many, it has been an unwelcome change. The breakaway circuit's links and funding from Saudi Arabia have seen many turn their back on the concept.
In spite of the criticism LIV are slowly but surely beginning to grow a fan base of their own, with impressive numbers flocking to Cedar Ridge for this week's tournament in Tulsa.
And one man who has clearly noticed is Johnson, who paid tribute to the crowds lining the fairways after shooting a second seven-under-par 63 in Saturday's second round to lead the way heading into Sunday. Post-round he said: "Yeah, the crowds have been great.
"The fans, obviously there's a lot of support out there, and then I see a lot of Aces hats and tee shirts, so it's nice," claiming he had plenty of fun in front of the growing crowds, Johnson added: "You can feel it today. Obviously the big crowds and -- so it was a lot of fun, and looking forward to tomorrow."
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Dustin Johnson leads the way heading into the final round (Getty Images)The impressive showing in Tulsa comes just weeks after a record-breaking sell-out crowd piled into The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide for LIV's first-ever event in Australia. The weekend in Adelaide proved to be a pivotal one for LIV, with the Aussie locals clearly taking to the 54-hole concept.
Most notably, the Adelaide crowd lined what was dubbed the 'Watering Hole' on the par 13th at The Grange, emulating the famous party hole at the PGA Tour's Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. The moment of the weekend came through Chase Koepka after he landed a hole-in-one at the 13th, leading to a sea of drinks being tossed into the air and onto the playing surface.
The success in Tulsa comes just weeks after a sell-out crowd in Adelaide (Getty Images)One man who felt the love more than most was local man Cam Smith, who admitted playing in front of his fellow Aussie natives on the breakaway circuit trumped winning the Open title at St Andrew's nine months prior. "I would go as far as to say this is the best event I’ve ever played," he revealed.
"I think I’m probably biased a little bit being from Australia, but this is what LIV Golf is about." Another rebel impressed by the backing was Phil Mickelson, who also commented: "[LIV Golf Adelaide] is really an example of what is possible, And a new opportunity to present golf in a different way and have a different energy and a different feel.
"What LIV Golf has provided is a great alternative to the traditional ways of golf, and the people here in Australia have embraced it, and so you see a whole different energy."