LIV Golf turns around: From 2026 72 holes in the battle for world ranking points

The LIV Golf League is giving up one of its founding features. From the 2026 season, the controversial tournaments will no longer be played over the characteristic 54 holes, but over the 72 holes that are common worldwide. Accordingly, the events will be extended from three to four tournament days. This significant change of course is a strategic move in the league's ongoing efforts to gain recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

The new LIV Golf format: 72 holes over four days

The new format marks the end of the "faster" golf that LIV has promoted as its unique selling point since its debut. The league is now moving closer to the standard format of the established Tours:

• Tournament length: in future, events will comprise 72 holes (four rounds) instead of the previous 54 holes (three rounds).
• Schedule: From 2026, tournaments will usually start on Thursday and finish as usual on Sunday. The season starts on February 4 in Riyadh.
• Format continuity: The team competition and the popular shotgun start (simultaneous start for all players) will be retained. The individual counting game will now be determined over the entire distance of 72 holes.

Ironically, the name LIV is derived from the Roman numeral for 54 - a fact that is now obsolete due to the format change.

The decisive reason: The way back to the Majors

The expansion to 72 holes is directly aligned with the goal of earning Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for the Tour. Without these points, the top players in the LIV League face considerable difficulties in qualifying for the Major Championships. Stars such as Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson have slipped down the world rankings, making their access to the most important tournaments of the year much more difficult.

The OWGR rejected the league's initial application in October 2023 due to the shortened 54-hole format, lack of cuts and small field size, among other things. With the adjustment, LIV Golf is now taking a decisive step towards meeting the formal requirements of the World Golf Ranking. In addition, some professionals stated that the shorter format did not prepare them optimally for the traditional four-day Major competitions. The change is therefore also a response to the players' desire for more competitive preparation.

Comments on the new LIV Golf format

Both the management and athletes of the LIV Tour are positive about the change, even if it means a departure from the original radical concept.

Scott O'Neil, CEO of the LIV Golf League, sees the change as a sign of dynamism and adaptability: "As we enter our fourth season as a league, the move to 72 holes marks a crucial new chapter for LIV Golf, strengthening our league and challenging our elite field of participants. The most successful leagues in the world are constantly evolving their product, and as an emerging league, we are no different. LIV Golf will always look to progress acting in the best interest of LIV Golf and the best interest of the sport."

The players welcome the opportunity to compete at the highest level. Jon Rahm (Captain Legion XIII), winner of last season's individual ranking, sees the decision as a complete success: "This is a win for the league and the players. We are competitors through and through and want every opportunity to compete at the highest level. The switch to 72 holes is the logical next step, which will strengthen the competition and test us more comprehensively."

Bryson DeChambeau (Captain Crushers GC) is focused on the Major future: "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 way forward. By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align itself with the historically globally recognized format."

Dustin Johnson appreciates the return to familiar procedures: "Playing 72 holes just feels a bit more like the big tournaments we all grew up with. I've always liked the effort of four rounds."

Will the change turn things around for LIV Golf?

The format change is a significant concession: LIV Golf is giving up a key selling point in order to achieve the overarching goal of legitimacy and Major access. The question now is whether this step is enough.

The OWGR must now decide whether the modification - along with possibly other adjustments such as opening up the fields of participants - will qualify the Tour for world ranking points. This decision will not only affect the careers of LIV professionals, but will also significantly determine the direction of the deadlocked negotiations between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. For fans, the change will definitely mean more golf at the top level from 2026.