LIV Golf, which marketed itself as a faster-paced various to the PGA Tour with 54-hole tournaments, shotgun begins and group competitors, is shifting to 72-hole occasions beginning in 2026, the league introduced Tuesday.
Shotgun begins and particular person and group competitions being performed concurrently will stay part of the LIV Golf League, however its tournaments will probably be one spherical longer and can usually begin on Thursday transferring ahead.
“Essentially the most profitable leagues around the globe — IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL — proceed to innovate and evolve their product, and as an rising league, we are not any totally different,” LIV Golf League CEO Scott O’Neil mentioned in a press release. “LIV Golf will all the time have a watch in direction of progress that acts in one of the best curiosity of LIV Golf and in one of the best curiosity of the game.”
The league, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund, is searching for inclusion within the Official World Golf Rating to assist its golfers receive pathways to main championships. The OWGR denied its software in October 2023 in its first season of competitors.
OWGR officers mentioned the applying was rejected partly as a result of the league is a closed store, and particular person outcomes may be compromised by the group competitors. All golfers’ scores depend in group standings now.
LIV Golf reapplied for OWGR recognition in July.
“Everybody desires to see one of the best gamers on the planet competing towards one another, particularly within the majors, and for the great of the sport, we’d like a path ahead,” Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau mentioned in a press release.
“By transferring to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format acknowledged globally. This can be a implausible evolution of the LIV Golf product, displaying how our League listens and adapts to create the very best expertise.”
LIV Golf opens its 2026 season on Feb. 4-7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
