ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: Charl Schwartzel of Stinger GC acknowledges the crowd as he walks onto the 18th green during day three of LIV Golf Invitational – London at The Centurion Club on June 11, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LIV Golf announced a huge change to their tournament format on Tuesday, switching from the three-day, 54 hole tournament format they have been using since the leagues inception in 2022, to a four-day, 72 hole format for the 2026 season.
“As we enter our fourth season as a league, the move to 72 holes marks a pivotal new chapter for LIV Golf that strengthens our league, challenges our elite field of players, and delivers more of the world-class golf, energy, innovation and access that our global audience wants,” LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said in a press release.
The change for 2026 comes as LIV Golf is trying to get events included in the Official World Golf Rankings(OWGR). Currently, when players play a LIV Golf event, they do not receive OWGR points. The avenue to those points for them is at the four major championships, or playing a few events on other tours such as the Asian Tour or DP World Tour.
“Everyone wants to see the best players in the world competing against each other, especially in the majors, and for the good of the game, we need a path forward,” Bryson DeChambeau said in the league’s press release. “By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognized globally. This is a fantastic evolution of the LIV Golf product, showing how our League listens and adapts to create the best possible experience.”
Besides the attempt to gain OWGR points, the move to 72 hole events also is a result of a push by players to get the league to abandon its namesake 54 hole events in favor of 72 holes consisting of four rounds, to mirror the more traditional type of tournament and get players ready to compete in major championships.
“LIV Golf is a player’s league,” said the two-time major winner Jon Rahm. “We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and to perfect our craft. Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step that strengthens the competition, tests us more fully, and if the growing galleries from last season are any indication, delivers more of what the fans want.”
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO – FEBRUARY 02: Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII warms up in the practice area during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational – Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 02, 2024 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Another sticking point for the OWGR committee to look at is pathways to qualify for LIV Golf, which seem to be lacking compared to other tours around the globe. To counter this, LIV Golf announced on Monday that they would be doubling the roster spots up for grab at their two qualifying events, the LIV Golf Promotions Event in Florida and through the Asian Tour’s International Series.
Regardless whether the switch to 72 holes is for OWGR points, player feedback or both, one thing is certain, it will be an interesting few months on the public relations side leading up to the 2026 season. Greg Norman, the tour initial CEO once said, “It is the Roman numeral for 54, which has two meanings: 54 is the lowest score you could shoot if you were to birdie every hole on a par 72 course, so there is an aspirational aspect to the thinking. It is also the number of holes to be played in each event.” So, LIV Golf may have some explaining to do, unless a new name for the league is on the horizon.
Mike is a founding member of Break80 Golf and a contributing golf and sports writer for Forbes with PGA Tour and LIV Golf media credentials. He can be found on social media platforms @short_sided_golf