After more than three years of spruiking its 54-hole format, LIV Golf has ditched its three-round tournaments in a massive change for the rebel tour as it ramps up its push to be awarded world rankings points.
LIV — which is 54 in Roman numerals — confirmed on Wednesday all events in 2026 would be played over 72 holes.
The decision marks a seismic change for the Saudi-backed circuit which used three-day events as a major drawcard when poaching players from the PGA Tour over its first four seasons.
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The luxury of playing for mega prize pots in a condensed format was enough to see the likes of Dustin Johnson jump ship, sending shockwaves through the sport.
But on Wednesday, Johnson was among LIV’s high-profile players welcoming the huge shift back towards regulation.
“I think it’s a great move for the League and I’m excited for it,” Johnson, the former US Open and Masters champion, 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 – it gives the best players a chance to rise to the top.”
”LIV Golf has been a great experience from the start, and I think this makes it even better for the fans and for us out there competing.”
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau called it a “win” for the breakaway tour, which has seen its players suffer major rankings slides, and in turn impact their capacity to qualify for majors.
Cameron Smith has slipped to outside the world’s top 300 players.Source: Getty Images
“Everyone wants to see the best players in the world competing against each other, especially in the majors, and for the good of the game, we need a path forward,“ DeChambeau said.
“By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognised globally. This is a fantastic evolution of the LIV Golf product, showing how our league listens and adapts to create the best possible experience.”
Spanish star Jon Rahm, who won the LIV individual title in 2025, said the four rounds would provide a greater test for players.
“This is a win for the league, and the players,” Rahm said.
“LIV Golf is a player’s league. We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and to perfect our craft.
“Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step that strengthens the competition, tests us more fully, and if the growing galleries from last season are any indication, delivers more of what the fans want.”
Under new boss Scott O’Neil, who succeeded Greg Norman, LIV has pushed more aggressively to be recognised by the OWGR — an important step in keeping its star players satisfied long term.
This week, changes involved the opening of more pathways for players onto the tour, which must remain an open shop to budding players to satisfy particular OWGR criteria.
But the biggest sticking point had been the lack of 72-hole tournaments, which was LIV Golf’s biggest point of difference, but was frowned upon by the OWGR.
With LIV Golf willing to die on its 54-hole hill under Norman, players plummeted down the world rankings. It meant that players largely had to rely on historic exemptions to qualify for majors, while those who weren’t former champions stood little to no chance of competing.
For example, Australian Cameron Smith slipped outside the world’s top 300 on the back of his winless year, and is now entering the final stages of some of his major exemptions on the back of his 2022 British Open triumph.
As things stand, he will only be exempt at the Masters, US Open and PGA Championship for two more years, though his Open Championship exemption lasts until he’s 60.
Meanwhile, Marc Leishman, who hasn’t won a major, had to scrap through 36-hole qualifying just to make last year’s US Open, which was his first major appearance since joining LIV Golf.
Ripper GC teammate Lucas Herbert is another Australian who has had to grind to simply appear in a major since joining LIV Golf. This year, he had to win through qualifying to appear at the Open Championship.
The move will suit the likes of Marc Leishman in their bid to requalify for majors.Source: AFP
Nonetheless, O’Neil said what is LIV Golf’s biggest shake-up was a move made in the best interests of the sport, rather than just an attempt for world rankings recognition.
“As we enter our fourth season as a League, the move to 72 holes marks a pivotal new chapter for LIV Golf that strengthens our League, challenges our elite field of players, and delivers more of the world-class golf, energy, innovation and access that our global audience wants.
“The most successful leagues around the world – IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL – continue to innovate and evolve their product, and as an emerging league, we are no different. LIV Golf will always have an eye towards progress that acts in the best interest of LIV Golf and in the best interest of the sport.”
‘LXXII GOLF’
The expansion has been widely seen as the right move in the immediate aftermath of the announcement, given it is a crucial step towards greater legitimacy for the tour.
Even so, it is a decision that has confounded considering any merger with the PGA Tour still has not happened, even with the two tours becoming more materially similar than ever.
Golf insider Dan Rapaport said the decision to expand to 72-holes only made the remaining division more confusing.
“LIV Golf goes to 72 holes, the PGA TOUR went to a bunch of limited-field events, can we just get this thing back together, like what are we even doing at this point?” he wrote.
This Week in Golf host Chris McKee said that the move actually serves to escalate tensions given, if LIV Golf wins OWGR points, it opens the door to more player movement.
“And just like that, the golf war is heating up once again,” he said.
Meanwhile, other golf journalists and experts reacted with sarcasm to the announcement.
“If you can’t beat ‘em…” wrote Golf Digest’s Alex Myers, suggesting that LIV Golf will now join them (the PGA Tour).
“Golf, but make it the PGA Tour,” Golf Digest colleague Christopher Powers added.
The No Laying Up podcast simply pointed out that LIV Golf is now ‘LXXII Golf’.
