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LIV Golf’s Biggest Change and What it Means
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- LIV Golf’s Biggest Change and What it Means
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier this week, LIV Golf announced some changes to its tournament format. LIV Golf is extending its tournaments from 54 holes to 72 holes.
On Nov. 4, LIV Golf unveiled its changes to lengthen its tournament by one extra day. However, the other parts of its format, including the team aspect and shotgun start, remain the same.
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So, what does it mean?
Here's what it means by its ever-changing nature in the game of golf.
LIV Golf wants to obtain World Golf Ranking points
Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY SportsCredit: USA Today Sports
When LIV Golf was first created a few years ago, it announced they were going to play 54 holes. However, in October 2023, the Official World Golf Ranking committee declined LIV Golf's request for players to accumulate world ranking points.
That means that since 2023, players, such as Bryson DeChambeau would only earn world ranking points at major championships. Right now, the only way is by winning a previous major or qualifying. If LIV Golf can be accepted by the OWGR, there is an exemption at each major championsship that give a player the chance to compete if they reach a certain ranking threshold.
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In the latest rankings, there are just two players that sit in the top 25. Only Tyrrell Hatton and DeChambeau remains in the top 25. sitting at No. 21 and No. 23, respectively. The next highest is Patrick Reed at No. 44, marking just three players in the top 50.
On the other hand, the quality of field could challenge LIV Golf players at events if the OWGR accepts the league.
Related: World Golf Rankings: Scheffler strengthens No. 1 spot after Open Championship victory
The Growth
Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Over the last three seasons, LIV Golf has grown, most notably through the notoriety of its players. Major champions and the game's current stars who have made the switch from the PGA Tour complement its play. Its leader, Greg Norman, a two-time Open Champion, announced in September that he had left the league due to his contract expiring.
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As a result, Scott O'Neil has taken over as the new CEO. So these changes are because of O'Neil. By adding another day of action, O'Neil and LIV Golf are reaching out to new sponsors for the league. One of its first new sponsors is Trackman Golf, a company that gives players access to see ball speeds and other measurements in their game.
LIV Golf and the PGA Tour want to come back together
It is complicated. Since O'Neil has taken over as CEO and the PGA Tour has a new commissioner in Brian Rolapp, who came over from the NFL earlier, there has been some talk between the two.
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Although nothing has stemmed much from it, the players have wanted to play against each other more than just four times a year at the majors.
"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," said DeChambeau , a two-time U.S. Open Champion. "We need a path forward. By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognized globally."
Also read: LIV Golf FAQ: The new circuit challenging the PGA Tour
The PGA Tour's reaction to LIV Golf latest change
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With the news being announced about LIV Golf's change to 72 holes, it has seen a reaction from the players on the PGA Tour. Most notable is Rory McIlroy, who was a major opponent of LIV Golf from the beginning.
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McIlroy said it was "peculiar" that LIV Golf would make that change.
"It certainly puts them more in line with traditional golf tournaments than what we've all done," McIlroy said. "It brings them back into not really being a disruptor and sort is of falling more in line with what everyone else does. But if that's what they felt they needed to do to get the ranking points, I guess that's what they had to do."
Also read: Ryder Cup: 10 Winners and Losers as Europe Wins on Foreign Soil
How will the PGA Tour respond?
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The PGA Tour has made it unauthorized to its players of any status (i.e. PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, that if someone participates in the LIV Golf-related event, they will be suspended.
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For example, earlier this year, Wesley Bryan was suspended by the PGA Tour for participating in the LIV Golf Duels event. Bryan participated as a content creator through his YouTube Channel, Bryan Bros, with his brother George.
As a result, in LIV Golf's upcoming promotional event in Florida on Jan. 8-11, 2026, there are two spots available in the 2026 league lineup. However, the PGA Tour has informed its players that if they compete, they will not grant releases to compete in conflicting events, most notably LIV Golf, because the event is taking place in North America.
That means that if a PGA Tour decides to compete, they will be subject to disciplinary action.
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