The LIV Golf season opener is set to kick off its 2026 season at ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh, and once again, the action will take place at night under the lights. For fans, night golf creates fascinating visuals and constant action across the illuminated course. But for players, night golf is a unique challenge: Balls disappear against the dark backdrop, the wind direction plays tricks and greens are difficult to read.
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While speaking at the Legion XIII pre-tournament press conference, Tyrrell Hatton summed up his mindset for the week with his usual dry humor.
“Hit and hope, like every other week.” Hatton quipped, adding that most of the field handled it well last year, though a few guys ran into trouble. “I know there were a few guys that had some issues … they use black irons, so that created an issue for them. But I think for the majority of us, it wasn’t too much of a problem. We’ve got a couple of days to get adjusted to it and it’ll be good fun.”
The Legion XIII captain, Jon Rahm, brought a more detailed perspective, leaning on his own experience with night setups in Phoenix.
“I wouldn’t say night golf is very accessible,” Rahm said, noting that while places like Grass Clippings offer lit par-3 courses and fun skins games, the full-scale version doesn’t fully translate. “There’s little nuances that you get used to fairly quick, but the first time it’s a little bit of a surprise … the awareness of where the club face is related to the ball can be a little tricky.”
On reading putts, he pointed out the greens are usually the best-lit part of the course, creating shadows that can distort shades and breaks for players who rely on them.
“But overall, based on the scores last year, I think we did all right,” Rahm said. “As a league we did pretty good. After a few days, you kind of start getting used to it.”
Once players are acclimated, he said, “it’s actually quite fun.”