LIV GOLF EXTENDS TO 72 HOLES IN MAJOR FORMAT OVERHAUL FOR 2026

The Saudi-backed LIV Golf has announced that from the 2026 season, it will shift from its familiar three-day, 54-hole format to a full four-round, 72-hole competition.

The change is part of what league chiefs describe as “the next chapter” in their global growth strategy.

Traditionally, LIV events wrapped up on Sunday after 54 holes, which helped set the league apart from the established tours.

Starting in early 2026, most tournaments will begin on Thursday (with one kicking off Wednesday) and run the extended four rounds, while retaining their signature shotgun starts and combined individual and team competitions.

The reasoning behind the overhaul is two-fold. First, LIV wants to align more closely with conventional golf formats and thereby enhance the competitive legitimacy of its events.

Secondly, gaining acceptance from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) remains a major goal, as past denial of ranking points hindered players’ ability to qualify for the major championships.

Stars like Jon Rahm have described the move as “a win for the league, and the players”, saying a 72-hole test better mirrors the demands of top-level golf.

Not everyone is convinced, though. Rory McIlroy has called the decision “peculiar” and questioned whether simply adding a round really solves LIV’s ranking troubles, given concerns about the strength of its fields.

All told, this signals a significant shift in LIV’s identity: a move away from its original “54” roots and towards mainstream tournament structure, while still maintaining the franchise style and entertainment components that distinguished it in the first place.

Image credit: Golf Monthly