2024 Season in Review: Ripper GC

10th in a series of stories reviewing the 2024 season for each of the 13 LIV Golf League teams.

Previous reviews: 4Aces | Cleeks | Crushers | Fireballs | HyFlyers | Iron Heads | Legion XIII | Majesticks | RangeGoats 

RIPPER GC QUICK REVIEW

TEAM

The all-Australian quartet celebrated arguably the two biggest accomplishments by any team this season. In April, they won LIV Golf’s first-ever team playoff in front of their frenzied home fans in Adelaide. And in September, they won the league’s biggest prize, the Team Championship, in Dallas. For four close teammates who enjoy having a good time, they gave themselves ample opportunities to party in 2024.

PLAYERS (final points ranking)

Cameron Smith (7): Aside from his team’s success, the captain produced a solid campaign but was frustrated not to win an individual title. He tied for second three times, including a playoff loss in Hong Kong. Don’t be surprised if he makes amends with a big 2025 performance.

Marc Leishman (15): Had his moments with three top-5 finishes, including in Singapore where he shared second with Smith. Perhaps more impressive was his T4 in Greenbrier, which was his first start after emergency appendicitis surgery at the previous event.

Lucas Herbert (25): Just finished outside the Lock Zone in his first LIV Golf season, but no matter. His gritty efforts and timely low rounds were well appreciated by his teammates. Dubbed “The Gladiator,” Herbert firmly entrenched himself as a Ripper. 

Matt Jones (42): Had just one top-10 finish but when teetering near the Drop Zone late in the season, he closed with three clutch points finishes. Performed well in the final rounds when all scores count.

TEAM OVERVIEW

Wins: 3*
Podiums: 6*
Points Finishes: 8
Seed: 3rd
Team Championship: 1st
* Includes Team Championship

COUNTING SCORES (league ranking)

Round 1: 80 under (T7)
Round 2: 109 under (4th)
Round 3: 69 under (T6)
Total: 258 under (6th)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Won LIV Golf’s biggest team prize, the 2024 Team Championship, in Dallas

• Won LIV Golf’s first-ever Team Playoff in front of home crowd in Adelaide 

• Won the next tournament in Hong Kong, becoming fourth different team in LIV Golf history to win in consecutive starts

• Team’s 53 under total in Adelaide matches for lowest winning team score in LIV Golf history

• Smith finished T2 in three different tournaments, including a playoff loss in Hong Kong

• Leishman’s T2 in Singapore matches his best LIV Golf result

• Team led the league in putting and Smith led all individual players

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Semifinals: Defeated Fireballs 2-1. Leishman defeated Chacarra, 19 holes. Herbert defeated Puig, 1 up. Smith-Jones lost to Garcia-Ancer, 3 and 1.

Finals (Championship tier): 1st at 11 under. Smith 68, Herbert 69, Jones 70, Leishman 70.

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

LEAGUE RANKINGS