Former LIV Golf caddie compares Adelaide event to Ryder Cup: "Best tournament in the world"

Kevin Na's former caddie Kenny Harms says LIV Golf's event in Australia is 'hands down the best tournament in the world'. 

Joaquin Niemann claimed his third title on the breakaway tour last weekend at The Grange in Adelaide. 

The Chilean, 26, started the final round three strokes off the pace but made a flurry of birdies en route to a final round 65 to claim his third LIV title since 2022. 

Once again the tournament Down Under was well-supported, with more than 90,000 tickets sold. 

Yesterday, the South Australia Government announced a contract extension with LIV Golf that will see Adelaide remain as the exclusive home of the PIF-backed league through 2031. 

"It's hands down the best tournament in the world," Harms, who split with Na last August, exclusively told GolfMagic. 

"Crowds are there to watch golf unlike the Waste Management."

Harms was referring to the PGA Tour's biggest party at TPC Scottsdale.  

The tournament - recently won by Thomas Detry - has always offered an atmosphere unlike any other event on the PGA Tour schedule. 

But in recent years it has been remembered for alcohol-fuelled incidents outside the ropes. 

Videos have flooded the socials showing fans fighting, urinating in public, sliding topless down muddy hills and even making snow angels in the course's bunkers. 

Golfers in the field - such as Billy Horschel and former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson - have been verbally abused. 

One woman fell from the rafters of the grand stand at the infamous par-3 16th stadium hole in 2024. 

Tournament organisers were forced to back a raft of changes for 2025 to reduce crowd trouble and the latest edition appeared to be a success. 

Like the WM Phoenix Open, LIV have their own version of a party hole.

Last week, Patrick Reed became the second golfer to make an ace at the rowdy par-3 12th. 

Brooks Koepka's brother, Chase, made the very first in 2024.

Harms added: "It [LIV Adelaide] has the same crowds as the majors and the Ryder Cup, yet it's not a major or the Ryder Cup. 

"Yes it has a party hole, but the crowds are lined up on every hole."

Other loopers on the LIV circuit agree with Harms' position. 

Justin Thomas' former caddie Jimmy Johnson said: "LIV Adelaide fans are amazing. 

"It's a lot like Phoenix but the fans are there to watch golf and drink. Compared to Phoenix they go there to drink and golf is secondary. 

"Adelaide has an amazing feel to it [and there are] a lot of people coming from all around the world."

Bryson DeChambeau's former caddie Brian Zeigler - who now carries the sticks for England's Harry Hall on the PGA Tour - said Adelaide is a really cool place to be, adding: "There's a ton of people there."

Reed's looper, Kessler Karain, said via text of the former Masters champion's ace: "It was pretty electric. Ryder Cup-esque energy. And wet lol."

Harms' statement may be met with a mixed reaction. 

Talor Gooch once compared a LIV Golf event in Portland to a Ryder Cup atmosphere, despite never making an appearance for Team USA in the biennial contest. 

"I haven't played a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, but I can't imagine there's a whole hell of a lot of difference," Gooch previously said, which prompted a smirks from the aforementioned Reed and Dustin Johnson who were stood next to him. 

Gooch later said he didn't regret making the comment, which was made in the 'heat of the moment'. 

"LIV Portland and it was one of the rowdiest crowds I've ever seen," he said. 

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