Louis Oosthuizen believes next month’s LIV Golf stop at Steyn City will showcase one of the strongest international fields seen in South Africa in more than two decades.
Speaking to the Sunday Times in Riyadh, the 2010 Open champion said the depth of talent heading to Joburg for the 19-22 March event rivals the golden era of the old Million Dollar and early Nedbank Golf Challenge years.
The $30-million (approximately R478-million) purse is the richest ever offered on South African soil, eclipsing even the peak Sun City editions.
“Having a field this strong – the last time was probably in the 2000s with the Nedbank – to bring guys like Jon [Rahm], Bryson [DeChambeau], DJ [Dustin Johnson], Joaquin [Niemann], all these guys to South Africa to play, it’s great for our country,” Oosthuizen said. “It was big work getting the tournament.”
Looking back at South Africa’s heyday of elite international golf, Oosthuizen recalled the star-studded line-ups that once made the Nedbank Golf Challenge a global showcase.
“The fields were freaking unbelievable, like Sergio [Garcia], Ernie [Els], Retief [Goosen], all those guys,” he said. “[The fans] are hungry for a strong, strong field again.”
WATCH: Steyn City takes shape for LIV Golf SA
Oosthuizen, who has a stake in the Southern Guards team he captains, admitted the recent rebranding from Stingers, necessitated by a trademark issue, had initially been a blow.
“We didn’t take it well in the beginning, but then we really got into the idea of our identity and seeing how we can do it even better,” he said.
“We’re South African boys. As long as I’m captain, it will be four South Africans playing, and hopefully when I’m done with golf, that would be the same.”
South Africa’s LIV Golf team Stinger GC has rebranded as Southern Guards GC.
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— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) January 13, 2026
Photo: Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images
Article Link: Louis: LIV field rivals Million Dollar glory days