Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie took the opportunity to clarify how he will work with golf bodies going forward in South Africa.
At a press conference revealing that Steyn City will once again once LIV Golf when it returns to South Africa next year, a somewhat loaded question was directed at LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill regarding the relationships between this league and the existing golfing bodies in the country.
While his response was neutral, McKenzie wasted no time in fully explaining the past issues and laying down the law for the way forward.
#LIVGolf CEO Scott O’Neil & The Minister of Sport in
@GaytonMcK were asked about @Sunshine_Tour & @GolfRSA’s reluctance to participate in LIV SA. While Scott gave the politically correct answer, Gayton perfectly summarized what needs to happen in ALL of
golf. It’s not about… pic.twitter.com/CXtNhE06oG
— Pro Golf Critic (@ProGolfCritic) March 22, 2026
“I’m going to give you the South African answer. There’s a Chinese saying that says, as a leader, you must constantly look back to see if the people are still following you,” said McKenzie.
“LIV Golf, they came here with humility.
“The sport of golf does not reach Black kids in the township. It does not reach the majority of people in South Africa. The sport of golf is viewed as an elite sport. But if you look at the crowd here in this 100,000 people that came, this was the most diverse crowd for any sporting event. As the minister of sport, arts and culture in this country, we are not going to back people to promote golf; we’re going to look for people that’s willing to promote golf.
“We talk to everyone, but we don’t back no one. If they feel it’s about them and it’s not about the sport of golf — what you see here today, you’ve never seen in a golf tournament in South Africa.
“Be honest about it; those are great guys. Natey is a fantastic guy. I don’t know the other guy so well. But we’re going to tell them – I spoke to Scott. Scott said to me, Minister, I want to work with them. So if they don’t want to work together, the country comes first.
“They have tried to stop me from having LIV Golf here, and I said, it’s not about you, it’s about the country. That time where certain individuals can think in this country, they can say what happens to the detriment of the majority of people is over. So now you have my answer.
“We work with those that want to work with us. I will give Natey a call because I have got so much admiration for him. Thank you.”
Photo: Mateo Villalba/LIV Golf
Article Link: IN FULL: McKenzie's explosive golf statement