LIV Golf, which marketed itself as a faster-paced various to the PGA Tour with 54-hole tournaments, shotgun begins and staff competitors, is shifting to 72-hole occasions beginning in 2026, the league introduced Tuesday.
Shotgun begins and particular person and staff competitions being performed concurrently will stay part of the LIV Golf League, however its tournaments can be one spherical longer and can typically begin on Thursday shifting ahead.
“Essentially the most profitable leagues all over the world — IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL — proceed to innovate and evolve their product, and as an rising league, we aren’t any completely different,” LIV Golf League CEO Scott O’Neil stated in a press release. “LIV Golf will at all times have a watch in the direction of progress that acts in the perfect curiosity of LIV Golf and in the perfect curiosity of the game.”
The league, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund, is in search of inclusion within the Official World Golf Rating to assist its golfers acquire pathways to main championships. The OWGR denied its application in October 2023 in its first season of competitors.
OWGR officers stated the applying was rejected partially as a result of the league is a closed store, and particular person outcomes may be compromised by the staff competitors. All golfers’ scores rely in staff standings now.
LIV Golf reapplied for OWGR recognition in July.
“Everybody needs to see the perfect gamers on the earth competing towards one another, particularly within the majors, and for the nice of the sport, we’d like a path ahead,” Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau stated in a press release.
“By shifting 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, exhibiting 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.
