Just days before the start of the 2026 season (February 4 in Riyadh), the Tour, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced several changes to its operating procedures.
While LIV Golf has just seen the departures of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed in just a few days, as well as the less high-profile exits of Kevin Na, Hudson Swafford, and Pat Perez, it has officially announced several significant changes ahead of the 2026 season, which is scheduled to begin on February 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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The most significant change is undoubtedly the expansion to 72 holes per tournament (instead of the previous 54), which should, in all likelihood, allow the Saudi Tour to be awarded world ranking points by the OWGR, the official body that manages the world rankings. The OWGR may officially confirm (or not) this change before the end of the week.
The Lock Zone, composed of players who have secured their spot for the following year, expands to 34 players, ten more than in 2025. This is due to the expanded field this season, which now stands at 57 players. The Open Zone, meanwhile, is reduced from 24 to 12 spots. There are now 11 relegation spots, representing approximately 20% of the total field. As a reminder, six players were relegated in 2025, including Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. Those ranked between 47th and 57th in the individual standings at the end of the year will lose their card.
The points system has also been completely revised. The aim here is to erase the “precedent” set by Joaquin Niemann, who, in 2025, despite five wins in thirteen tournaments, failed to secure the individual title (which went to Jon Rahm, more consistent than the Chilean but unable to win a single tournament). An individual victory will also carry more weight in the 2026 rankings. Each winner will also receive a newly increased prize purse of $2.3 million.
In addition to the prize money at each tournament, now at $30 million – to be shared among the 57 participating players! – the 2026 season will see team winnings doubled, from $5 million to $10 million. While only the top three teams were “rewarded” in 2025, all thirteen teams will now receive a prize pool for each of the 13 regular season events, based, of course, on their respective rankings.
“We believe this evolution makes LIV Golf more competitive, more transparent and, ultimately, more exciting for players, teams and fans around the world,” concluded Scott O’Neil, CEO of the breakaway tour.
