LIV Golf Announcing Major Switch to 72-Hole Format from 2026 Season Fails to Impress Fans: “Total Desperation Move”

Unlike the other professional tours, LIV Golf previously used to play just 54 holes.

LIV Golf Announcing Major Switch to 72-Hole Format from 2026 Season Fails to Impress Fans: “Total Desperation Move”

Scott O'Neil, CEO of LIV Golf (Image via Golf Digest)

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LIV Golf made a huge announcement on Tuesday. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) backed tour revealed their plans of switching to the traditional 72-hole format from the 2026 season.

The breakaway tour has received huge flak from fans since its formation. Unlike the other traditional golf circuits, the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit only played 54 holes. As a result of this, there were only 3 rounds in their events.

Starting from the 2026 season, LIV Golf will adapt to the 72-hole format. This would mean that they will now play 4 rounds of golf like every other professional tours across the globe.

In a statement released by the league, CEO Scott O’Neil expressed that like other top leagues in the world, they are continuing to evolve.

The most successful leagues around the world – IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL – continue to innovate and evolve their product, and as an emerging league, we are no different. LIV Golf will always have an eye towards progress that acts in the best interest of LIV Golf and in the best interest of the sport.

Scott O’Neil said in the statement

Earlier this year, LIV Golf reapplied for the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) points. The OWGR is an official stat that is used to rank players across the world. Every tour receives these ranking points except LIV Golf.

In 2023, former OWGR chairperson Craig Dawson rejected their appeal for these ranking points. He pointed out the format of the then Greg Norman-led league and expressed, “They’re just not playing a format where they can be ranked equitably with the other 24 tours and thousands of players.”

The OWGR points are critical for golfers to qualify for the major championships. As LIV Golfers do not receive these points, their rankings take a hit. This makes it difficult for them to earn a spot in the majors through their world rankings.

With the league now adapting to this 72-hole format, they would be hoping for a positive answer from the OWGR body this time out.

Golf fans react to LIV Golf adapting to 72-hole format from the 2026 season

LIV Golf will be undergoing a major change in the 2026 season. The league, which was named after 54 holes (LIV stands for 54 in Roman Numerals), will now be playing 72 holes from next year.

Scott O'Neil
Scott O’Neil (Image via Bloomberg)

This news on Tuesday failed to impress fans on social media. Users on X mocked the league once again. One user called it a “total desperation move” while making their feelings known.

Check out some reactions from the golf community below:

While the league will be playing an extra round from now on, there will be no changes regarding the shotgun start and the cutline. LIV Golf does not feature a cutline in its events, meaning that all golfers get to play all the holes.

LIV Golf also staying in contact with the PGA Tour regarding future of golf

On Tuesday, LIV Golf announced one of the biggest changes in its format. As per reports, the league is also in touch with the PGA Tour regarding the future of the game.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil (Image via Golf Monthly)

In June 2023, Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan shocked the golfing world by coming together and announcing a merger deal between the PGA Tour and the PIF. A framework agreement was announced between the two parties.

Since then, there have been several talks regarding this deal. However, nothing conclusive has taken place.

As per reports from Sportico, LIV CEO Scott O’Neil expressed that he has spoken a “few times” with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp regarding the future of golf.

The two of us have talked a few times. Generally we have a common view on what could be or should be the landscape of golf over the next several years…. There’s an opportunity for the whole golf world to come together and grow this pie.

Scott O’Neil said as per Sportico

The world of golf has been left divided since the formation of LIV Golf. One of the key points of the framework agreement is the reunification of the game and having all players in the world competing under one stage once again.

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