LIV Golf Makes Shock Move, Shifting to 72-Hole Tournaments

LIV Golf announced today that, starting next year in 2026, it will play all events over 72 holes in an effort to grow the league’s mission and enter a new era of the sport for players and fans.

In 2026, all LIV Golf events will be played over four days, starting on Thursday and going into Sunday, with the same individual and team-based competition format.

Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf’s CEO, confirmed the announcement to Golficity:

“As we enter our fourth season as a League, the move to 72 holes marks a pivotal new chapter for LIV Golf that strengthens our League, challenges our elite field of players, and delivers more of the world-class golf, energy, innovation and access that our global audience wants. We’re seeing upward momentum and traction from Hong Kong to Adelaide to Indianapolis, and that heightened interest opens the door to add another day of golf while benefiting our fans, players, marketing partners, and our global media partners. The most successful leagues around the world – IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL – continue to innovate and evolve their product, and as an emerging league, we are no different. LIV Golf will always have an eye towards progress that acts in the best interest of LIV Golf and in the best interest of the sport.” 

LIV’s name is played off of its previous 54-hole format, as LIV is the Roman numerical form of the number 54. However, the format has been a harsh point of criticism by fans and the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), which has denied the league the ability to earn points.

However, the change is something that is welcomed by players, like Jon Rahm, who said it is a big win for everyone involved:

“This is a win for the League, and the players. LIV Golf is a player’s league. 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.” 

Other players, like Joaquin Niemann, Bryson DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson all said the move to 72-holes is something that will make the tournaments feel like the big events that they all grew up playing. 

The Thursday round will still deliver the same fan experience as the other LIV days, including golf, entertainment, and culture.

2026 will be LIV’s most expansive season yet as it will reach 10 countries across 5 continents, including the Middle East, Europe, Australasia, and North America – and now extending to Africa.