The newest player in the world of professional golf of course plays only 54 holes, using a shotgun start. However, what is fast becoming clear is that its team element is the point of difference that seems to be cutting through most successfully.

Some teams were rebranded for the 2023 LIV Golf League after the circuit’s “beta” season of last year, and the example of the all-Australian Ripper GC and its popularity should be fuel enough for LIV to further embrace the teams aspect.

The sprinkling of fans that were on site at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide for Thursday’s pro-am day were decked out in the Aussie side’s merchandise.

Both young and old members of the crowd were sporting the Southern Cross inspired logo, or Cam Smith mullet inspired t-shirts. Although there were a smattering of other teams represented after the merchandise shop opened for the week.

The players are clearly buying in too.

Practice rounds are played in teams, they work on their games on the practice fairway and short game areas in unison. And Smith’s teammates – Marc Leishman, Matt Jones and Jed Morgan – are certainly enjoying their inclusion.

This shirt has already been a big seller in the merchandise tent at The Grange. PHOTO: LIV Golf.

“We get to practice and play a lot together, so we get to talk to each other about how we play a hole, certain shots you hit on a hole,” Jones said Thursday. “Where you don't normally get that a lot on the other tours but more so after the rounds and before the rounds we spend a lot of time together having dinner, having breakfast together and just talking.

“It's just good to be with three other guys, three friends, and having a good time together traveling the world playing the game we love.”

Leishman certainly agrees with his fellow PGA Tour winner.

“The team aspect has been probably one of the best parts about it for me,” he said. “It doesn't really change the dynamic on the golf course for me because we're all competitive, we want to win, we want to beat each other, but off the golf course, it's been like –well, better than I could have imagined. It's been a lot of fun spending a lot of time with the lads and everyone in our teams, as well.”

So far the comradery of team Ripper has yet to materialise into any group success, with the foursome ranked eighth from 12 teams in the LIV Golf setup that has been dominated by the Dustin Johnson led 4 Aces.

Yet this week will see another string added to the team bow, with the captains of all teams mixed into groups together, while the other three team members will play the first round alongside one another.

Whether that helps the Aussies, or the other teams for that matter, will play out over the next couple of days, with Ripper GC considered by many the favourites this week given the home advantage and expected crowd support.

If they were to be successful, it would be a serious shot in the arm for the team concept. And a reinforcement of the unique bond the Australians share.

“I think the way I describe it to people is being a part of this team is like we're four brothers that all hate each other and love each other at the same time,” Smith said.