By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf).
Phil Mickelson will miss a third consecutive LIV Golf tournament, remaining absent from this week’s event in Hong Kong and extending a run that has prompted widespread discussion among golf followers.
The 55 year old did not feature in the opening tournaments of the season in Riyadh and Adelaide, and will also sit out the third stop on the calendar, LIV Golf Hong Kong, staged at Hong Kong Golf Club from 5 to 8 March.
His continued absence leaves HyFlyers GC without their captain at a pivotal stage of the campaign. The team has turned once more to Wade Ormsby, who steps in after already deputising in Adelaide.
HyFlyers moved quickly to confirm the change, sharing a statement on social media expressing their enthusiasm at welcoming Ormsby back into the fold. The Australian’s credentials are clear. He competed in Adelaide and boasts an impressive record in Hong Kong, having won the Hong Kong Open in 2017 and 2020. His familiarity with the course offers the side a measure of reassurance at a time of uncertainty.
Mickelson explained in early February that he and his wife needed to focus on a family health matter. He stressed that he is eager to return and intends to resume competitive action as soon as circumstances allow. Even so, the absence of one of the most decorated players in modern golf represents a tangible setback for a side harbouring strong ambitions this season.
HyFlyers must now press on without their most experienced figure. The responsibility falls to the remaining squad members to deliver a result in Hong Kong, while supporters hope the American will soon be back inside the ropes.
South Africa Prepares for Historic LIV Debut
While attention centres on Hong Kong this week, the league’s expansion into Southern Africa is gathering momentum. South African Tourism has partnered with LIV Golf to stage the circuit’s inaugural tournament in the country later this month. LIV Golf South Africa will take place from 19 to 22 March at Steyn City Golf Club in Gauteng, marking a significant addition to the national sporting calendar.
The event is expected to feature leading names including Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and home favourite Louis Oosthuizen. The Saudi backed league, launched in 2021, continues to broaden its international footprint, and its arrival in South Africa is viewed as a strategic milestone. “This partnership allows us to showcase our exceptional golf offering while highlighting South Africa as a destination that delivers world class experiences beyond the fairway,” said Thandiwe Mathibela, acting chief marketing officer of South African Tourism.
Golf tourism forms an increasingly important pillar of the country’s recovery strategy. Authorities are leveraging championship courses and favourable year round conditions to attract high spending international visitors, many of whom extend their trips to explore other leisure attractions. The anticipated global media exposure from the LIV event is expected to elevate South Africa’s profile as a premier golf destination and encourage repeat visitation.
As Hong Kong unfolds and South Africa prepares to host its first LIV tournament, the spotlight remains firmly on Mickelson’s absence. For HyFlyers, the immediate priority is stability and points on the board. For South Africa, the focus is opportunity, as the nation positions itself at the centre of a rapidly evolving global golf landscape.