Labor has asked the national auditor to investigate why Liberal candidate Georgina Downer was allowed to present a $127,000 government grant to a local bowling club in the form of a novelty cheque featuring her face and Liberal Party branding.

Ms Downer, who will make a second attempt at nabbing the South Australian seat of Mayo from Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie, clinked champagne glasses with members of the Yankalilla Bowling Club on Friday as she presented a cheque for more than $127,000.

Liberal candidate Georgina Downer presents a novelty cheque for $127,000 to the Yankalilla Bowling Club.

The grant came from the federal government Community Sports Infrastructure Grant Program, managed by Sports Minister and deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie.

Ms Sharkie said she had never seen a taxpayer-funded grant "delivered by cheque with a candidate's face and name on it", and called it "rather desperate and misleading".