LIV Golf is making a major adjustment that could have significant implications across the sport. The league is extending its events from 54 to 72 holes, a change aimed at helping players earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
Ranking points have been a problem for LIV players over the past few seasons, with many slipping down the standings due to a lack of recognised events. Even Jon Rahm, last season’s individual champion, has dropped to 71st place.
LIV has also struggled with recruitment lately. Since Rahm’s arrival in December 2023, they haven’t managed to bring in another high-profile name.
However, there have been recent reports linking two PGA Tour winners to LIV, and this format change might help facilitate those moves.
The new format wasn’t universally agreed upon by players within the league. Ian Poulter had already voiced his concerns before the news became official: Poulter said: “You know you’re gonna go and do your job but everyone sees your job in a different way.”
Not everyone was on board with LIV’s move away from the 54-hole format
Dustin Johnson, who re-signed with LIV this summer, supported the move to 72 holes when it was announced. He said, “Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing. I’ve always liked the grind of four rounds.”
But that contrasted with his earlier comments about the league’s format. Speaking at a LIV event in 2022, Johnson was positive about the 54-hole setup, saying: “Ever since I was first introduced to this idea, I thought it was great for the game of golf.
“I was excited about a new format, a new kind of golf that I think is great for the game, is great for the fans, and I think it’s going to be very exciting.
“I’m excited about playing. There’s three rounds, no cut, it’s a shotgun start, so to me everyone is playing in the same conditions.”
Talor Gooch also defended LIV’s original format during an interview in 2024. He told reporters: “Everyone’s talked about World Ranking points and all this stuff, but no one’s talked about what do fans enjoy more? People want something that’s going to be more exciting.”
Gooch joined LIV because he believed in its direction at the time. But even though he wasn’t pleased with where things went later on — he still ended up finishing as their individual champion in 2025.
LIV Golf switches to 72 holes after Rahm’s comments
After joining LIV in a high-profile move, Rahm didn’t hold back on his thoughts about the format. He was clear that he preferred the traditional 72-hole structure over LIV’s original 54.
In 2024, he said: “If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes, I think it would help all of this argument a lot.
“The closer I think we can get LIV Golf to some other things the better. I think it would be for some kind of unification to feed into a world tour or something like that.
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“I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I definitely wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes.”
LIV hasn’t been able to attract many big names recently, so keeping its top players content is more important than ever. Bryson DeChambeau might have enjoyed the old format, but the change should sit well with their latest champion.
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