EARLIER this year Adelaide-born Wade Ormsby switched from playing the DP World Tour (European Tour) to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Last month the 42-year-old was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for LIV Golf’s event at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club and that’s where Inside Golf reporter Shawne McKenna caught up with him to find out about his new challenge.
Q. How have you been received by the organisation LIV Golf?
A. It is unbelievable what they have done. I am proud to be a part of the inaugural year and seeing the transformation firsthand.
As you know, there are critics of LIV. How have they been to deal with?
I think LIV have been very transparent the whole way through and shown how to make the package as exciting as it could be. They have absolutely listened to the players then put together a great show which has been brilliant.
What sort of position do you hold within the organisation regarding a contract and did you have any trusted mentors to assist with your decision to join LIV?
I think the field is divided into two halves, part of the field with sign-on fees – the other half gets access through entry criteria which I fall under. I wasn’t sure that I was going to get into the field approaching the first event, and I counselled my close-knit team including long-term caddie Richard Hallam about becoming part of LIV. But it all worked out, and I absolutely haven’t looked back, and I love every minute of it.
How do you feel about the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) situation?
It is inevitable it is going to get sorted out. There are so many great players here, it is just a shame the process is what it is. Personally, I am less affected, though my ranking has fallen like a stone past 300, but it is almost not applicable now and not a true reflection as to where everybody sits. I have just tried to forget about it, and I am proud of my ranking wherever it sits and always trying to improve.
“It is unbelievable what they have done. I am proud to be a part of the inaugural year and seeing the transformation firsthand.”
You must finish top 24 in the LIV standings to be guaranteed a start in 2023, how would you feel if you didn’t quite get there?
I will feel happy I have been a part of the inaugural year, but I am not finished yet. I have an opportunity in Miami, and if I don’t get there in 2023, I will set my sights on 2024 LIV and keep going because this is now the biggest show in golf.
You are in your 40s now, how have you had to keep up the physical challenges of playing at the elite level?
I am a small, light guy and haven’t been as hard on my body so I’ve been fortunate. I keep my body in as good a shape as possible for a longer career. Apart from 2013, I have been injury-free and I just play my game and go about my business. But I know the guys having great longevity to their careers like (Phil) Mickelson, (Richard) Bland, (Padraig) Harrington are still creating huge amounts of speed and I am still working hard,
and believe I have a good five to eight years left in me.
Can you see yourself playing past 50?
No, not at all! In a way I’ve been selfishly playing around the world for a long time. I miss home and want to stop chasing the carrot eventually. For now, I am just looking at the now and making the most of the career I have is absolutely the plan.
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