The 2026 LIV Golf will be underway in a few weeks in Riyadh, and before that, the league has seen moments of success with the re-signing of old pros like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sam Horsfield, and the reported arrival of new faces. Now, one of the Saudi PIF-backed golf league’s teams will play with a new name.
The league roster features thirteen teams. Last year, multiple media sources, including GOLF, reported that LIV filed new trademarks for several names, such as Becko East GC, Real Club de Toros GC, Southern Balindi GC, and Southern Guards GC. Now, ahead of the new season, it has been officially revealed that Stinger GC has been rebranded to Southern Guards GC.
The team shared the news on X, confirming the news. Southern Guards GC wrote in the caption:
“A new era begins 🇿🇦 Stinger Golf Club rebrands as Southern Guards GC @livgolf_league #golf #livgolf #southernguardsgc #trend”
Take a look at the X post here:
Although LIV Golf will play with a rebranded team, the Southern Guards GC will continue with the existing Stinger GC roster. In the 2026 season of the breakaway tour, the team will feature Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace, and Charl Schwartzel in its lineup. Apart from the update, an official of the team has revealed the reason behind the rebranding.
Exploring the reason behind LIV Golf’s Stinger GC’s rebranding
For the unversed, the Southern Guards GC features an all-South African lineup. In the video shared by the team on X, the Rhino’s presence has been emphasized, highlighting how the team’s identity was centered around the culture of South Africa.
In a presser, Richard Glover, the General Manager of Southern Guards GC, shared the reason behind the rebranding. Glover stated (quotes taken via LIV Golf website):
“This has been an emotional and considered decision, but we felt the time was right to embrace a name and visual identity that more authentically reflects who we are and where we come from.
“Southern Guards GC reflects the responsibility we carry in representing South Africa on a global stage. With LIV Golf coming to the country for the first time, the timing couldn’t be more fitting for us to represent our heritage with pride.”
Last year, the team, which played as Stinger GC, finished in third place in the LIV Golf Team Standings, with a total score of 12 under par. Among other golfers of the lineup, Burmester finished in fourth position of LIV’s Individual Standings, carding a total of 117.25 points throughout the season.
