LIV Golf introduced a serious scoring change Wednesday on the eve of its season-opening event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
For the primary time within the circuit’s historical past, each participant’s rating in each spherical will depend towards his group’s complete rating.
Final season, one of the best three scores had been taken within the first two rounds, with all 4 group members’ scores counting just for the ultimate 18 holes.
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LIV Golf acknowledged a number of potential ramifications associated to the format change, together with elevated volatility on the leaderboard.
“It does make volatility greater, crazier. No one can disguise,” RangeGoats GC captain Bubba Watson mentioned. “You are going to should be dedicated on each gap, each shot.”
Excessive scores shall be a killer. Beforehand, any golfer who had a foul day within the first two rounds may hope to be bailed out by his three teammates.
“There is not any extra trying on the scoreboard and considering, ‘I am OK, my group’s enjoying effectively.’ That positively adjustments issues,” Stinger GC captain Louis Oosthuizen mentioned.
Depth is now at a premium, that means the groups with one of the best No. 4 gamers ought to have a higher benefit.
“I prefer it. I believe it advantages a group like ours,” Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm mentioned. “I believe we have now 4 actually sturdy gamers which are actually constant.”
The change provides extra stress to LIV Golf’s six new full-time gamers this season, 4 of whom are 25 or youthful. They are going to be requested to supply instantly as an alternative of easing into their new setting.
If all 4 scores had counted throughout 2024, six tournaments would have had totally different group champions and one other would have required a playoff.
LIV Golf additionally made adjustments to its substitution coverage.
If a participant withdraws in the course of the enjoying of a spherical, his group could choose one of many out there reserve gamers to play the rest of the spherical or event.
If a participant withdraws between the play of two holes, the reserve will start play on the following gap. If he withdraws whereas enjoying a gap, the reserve will put his ball in play on the similar spot as the unique ball and full the outlet.
If a participant begins a event however is compelled to withdraw whereas on the course, that participant can return to compete for his group firstly of any remaining rounds. However he’ll solely compete to contribute a group rating, not within the particular person competitors.
