What's happened
LIV Golf announced it will extend its tournaments from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026, aligning more with traditional golf formats. The change aims to improve recognition by the Official World Golf Ranking and enhance competition, with support from key players and officials. The move is part of LIV's broader strategy to challenge established tours.
What's behind the headline?
The move to 72 holes by LIV Golf signals a strategic shift to integrate more fully into the traditional golf ecosystem. This change is likely driven by the league's desire to secure OWGR points, which are crucial for attracting top players and gaining legitimacy. The decision also aims to appeal to fans who prefer the format of major tournaments, potentially increasing viewership and sponsorship. However, critics argue that the league's core issues—such as its closed field and lack of qualification—still undermine its credibility. The reaction from players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau suggests a recognition that LIV is evolving, but questions remain about whether these reforms will be enough to overcome longstanding criticisms and whether the OWGR will grant points given LIV's unique structure. The next steps will involve negotiations with the OWGR and the broader golf community, with the potential to reshape the competitive landscape of professional golf.
What the papers say
The Scotsman reports that LIV Golf's CEO Scott O'Neil announced the move to 72 holes, emphasizing the league's goal to challenge traditional golf formats and secure OWGR points. Jon Rahm and other players have expressed cautious optimism, noting that the change aligns LIV more closely with established tours. However, critics like Rory McIlroy remain skeptical, questioning whether the format change addresses the league's fundamental issues, such as its closed field and lack of qualification pathways. The AP News highlights that the move is part of LIV's broader strategy to legitimize itself and attract top talent, with the league positioning itself as a more traditional and competitive circuit. The industry response is mixed, with some seeing it as a necessary evolution and others viewing it as a superficial attempt to gain credibility. Overall, the debate centers on whether LIV's reforms will succeed in gaining OWGR recognition and how this will impact the future of professional golf.
How we got here
LIV Golf, funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, started in 2022 with a 54-hole format, emphasizing a faster pace and a closed field. The league has faced criticism and rejection from the Official World Golf Ranking due to its format and limited field access. The move to 72 holes is seen as an effort to legitimize the league and gain recognition, aligning with traditional golf tournaments and addressing previous concerns about its structure.
Go deeper
Common question
-
Why is LIV Golf extending to 72 holes?
LIV Golf's decision to extend its tournaments from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026 has sparked a lot of questions. Many wonder why this change is happening and what it means for the sport. In this guide, we'll explore the reasons behind LIV Golf's move, how it impacts players and tournaments, and what it could mean for traditional golf fans. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this significant shift in professional golf.
-
Why Is LIV Golf Extending to 72 Holes in 2026?
LIV Golf's decision to extend its tournaments from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026 has sparked a lot of questions. Fans and players alike are wondering what this change means for the league's future, its players, and its standing in the golf world. In this page, we'll explore why LIV Golf is making this move, how it impacts the sport, and what it could mean for the broader golf community. Keep reading to find out more about this significant shift in LIV Golf's format and its implications.
-
Why Is LIV Golf Moving to 72 Holes in 2026?
LIV Golf's decision to extend its tournament format from 54 to 72 holes marks a significant shift in professional golf. This change aims to align more closely with traditional golf standards, improve world ranking recognition, and boost competition levels. But what does this mean for players, fans, and the sport's future? Below, we explore the reasons behind this move and its potential impact on golf's landscape.
-
Why is LIV Golf moving to 72 holes in 2026?
LIV Golf's decision to extend its tournaments from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026 has sparked widespread interest and debate. This change aims to align LIV more closely with traditional golf formats, improve its chances of earning Official World Golf Ranking points, and challenge established tours. But what does this mean for the sport, players, and fans? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this significant shift in LIV Golf's strategy.
-
What Are the Biggest News Stories Today and Why Do They Matter?
Stay informed with the latest headlines shaping our world today. From sports and politics to legal battles and tech investigations, these stories impact us all. Curious about how they connect or what they mean for the future? Read on for clear, concise answers to your top questions about today's top news stories.
-
Why is LIV Golf changing its format to 72 holes and what does it mean for golf fans?
LIV Golf's decision to extend its tournaments from 54 to 72 holes marks a significant shift in its strategy to compete with traditional golf tours. This change aims to improve recognition by the Official World Golf Ranking and attract top players. But what does this mean for fans, players, and the future of professional golf? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding LIV Golf's format change and its potential impact on the sport.
-
Will LIV Golf's New 72-Hole Format Change the Future of Golf?
LIV Golf's decision to extend its tournaments from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026 has sparked widespread discussion. This move aims to align LIV more closely with traditional golf formats and improve its chances of gaining recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). But what does this mean for the sport? Will this change attract more viewers, influence other tours, and reshape the golf landscape? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding LIV's format shift and its potential impact on professional golf.
More on these topics
-
The Super Golf League is a proposed golf league. SGL is owned by LIV Golf, which is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia.
-
Jon Rahm Rodríguez is a Spanish professional golfer. He is the current world number 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, having first achieved that rank after winning the Memorial Tournament in July 2020.
-
Rory McIlroy MBE is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is a member of both the European and PGA Tours. He is a former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, having spent over 100 weeks in that position during his career.
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Caitlin Clark is an American college basketball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference.
-
Bryson James Aldrich DeChambeau is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. In 2015, he became the fifth player in history to win both the NCAA Division I championship and the U.S. Amateur in the same year.
-
Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan is a Saudi business personality who is Governor of the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Chairman of Saudi Aramco.