LIV Golf format change: LIV Golf will switch to a 72-hole format from 2026
LIV Golf format change has been confirmed, with the Saudi-funded league announcing that from the 2026 season, all tournaments will be played over 72 holes instead of 54. The move aligns LIV Golf with the traditional four-round structure used on major tours, including the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. Since its 2022 launch, LIV events had been limited to 54 holes — the Roman numeral LIV meaning 54 — a key reason the league was denied Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
A Step Toward Tradition and Recognition
Beginning 2026, events will start on Thursdays, except LIV Golf Riyadh in February, which begins on Wednesday. The expansion to four rounds is expected to bolster the league’s credibility and potentially aid in gaining OWGR approval, essential for major championship qualification.
Two-time major winner Jon Rahm, who claimed back-to-back LIV titles this year, hailed the shift as “a win for the league and the players.” Former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson said the 72-hole format “feels more like the big tournaments we grew up with,” while Bryson DeChambeau called it “a change for the good of the game.”
What the Format Change Means for Players and Fans
The new structure will see 72-hole stroke play determine individual results, while the team competition continues concurrently, with combined individual scores forming team totals. Players believe the adjustment will better prepare them for majors and improve competitive depth.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil, who succeeded Greg Norman, described the format overhaul as “a pivotal new chapter” that reinforces the league’s global ambition. “We’re evolving like every major sports league,” O’Neil said, emphasizing innovation and fan engagement.
Expert Analysis: A Strategic but Risky Shift
BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter wrote that the LIV Golf format change represents the most significant decision since O’Neil took charge, marking the league’s voluntary abandonment of one of its defining traits. Carter added that while the shift could aid LIV’s world-ranking quest, it will not necessarily mend its fractured relationship with the PGA Tour.
According to Carter, many LIV players have struggled in major championships, and four-round tournaments could improve their readiness. The league also announced an expanded qualification pathway for players, another move toward greater integration with the global golf ecosystem.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
The decision to mirror traditional tours’ formats reflects LIV’s desire for long-term legitimacy while preserving its team-based innovation. With Rahm, Johnson, and DeChambeau publicly backing the move, the league hopes the 72-hole model will attract new fans, elevate competition standards, and push for long-sought OWGR recognition.
The LIV Golf format change signals a defining moment for the breakaway tour — one that could reshape professional golf’s landscape in 2026 and beyond.
Responses