LIV Golf to change to 72-hole format

Saturday, 8 November 2025 00:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

LIV Golf events will be extended to 72 holes from 2026, putting them in line with the sport’s established tours.

The Saudi Arabia-backed circuit was launched in 2022 with 54-hole events and even takes its name from the Roman numeral for 54 – LIV.

The unconventional format played a role in players being denied official ranking points, with most LIV events having been played from Friday to Sunday.

They will now be contested from Thursday of tournament weeks – apart from a Wednesday start for February’s LIV Golf Riyadh.

Two-time major winner Jon Rahm, who won his second straight LIV title in August, said that “this is a win for the league, and the players”.

“LIV Golf is a player’s league,” said the former world number one. “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.”

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points play a key role in determining entry into golf’s four majors.

LIV Golf players have slid down the rankings with Rahm now 71st in the world while Dustin Johnson, another former world number one, is 604th.

For each regular season event, the individual competition will be decided over 72 holes of stroke play.

The team competition will continue to run concurrently, with each team’s cumulative individual stroke play scores determining the team result.