US EditionMcIlroy Calls LIV’s Switch to 72-Hole Tournaments a ‘Peculiar Move’
- On Tuesday, LIV Golf announced it will stage all events over four days and 72 holes starting in the 2026 season, with Riyadh Golf Club opening February 4.
- Because LIV's league was a 'closed shop' and its team competition could affect individual results, the Official World Golf Ranking rejected the league’s request, blocking players from major championships and Ryder Cup contention.
- LIV's global reach shows Scott O'Neil said the league now reaches nearly 900 million households across 200-plus countries.
- By aligning with OWGR standards, LIV says the 72-hole shift could bolster its bid for world ranking points, which help determine fields for the four majors.
- After Greg Norman's exit, Scott O'Neil refiled LIV's OWGR application in July 2025 following a March 2024 withdrawal, while shotgun starts and concurrent team scoring remain and the league is likely to field 57 players.
103 Articles
103 Articles
LIV to expand to 72 holes in a bid for world ranking points
LIV Golf, the Saudi-funded league known for its 54-hole events with shotgun starts, is expanding to 72 holes for the 2026 season and adding a few extra qualifying spots in a move that could boost its bid to be recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking. The name of the league — the roman numeral for 54 — was built around its faster pace over three rounds instead of the traditional four on most other circuits. The shotgun start will remain for…
Now the LIV tour in golf is expanding from three to four days of play – and 72-hole competitions. “A victory for the league and the players,” says Jon Rahm.
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LIV Golf switching to 72-hole format in 2026: official
LIV Golf will abandon its abbreviated 54-hole format in favor of 72-hole tournaments in 2026, officials said Tuesday.
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