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LIV Golf's Major Pivot: 72-Hole Format Arrives, Splitting the Locker Room

A significant shift in the LIV Golf format is set for 2026, moving to a traditional 72-hole structure in a bid for Official World Golf Ranking points. While some see it as a necessary evolution, others, including Rory McIlroy, label it a "peculiar" move.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the fairways of the professional game, LIV Golf has officially announced it will expand its tournament format to 72 holes starting in 2026. This decision marks a departure from the league’s signature 54-hole, "shotgun start" philosophy and signals a strategic pivot aimed directly at securing Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. For Australian golf fans, who have passionately embraced the likes of Cameron Smith and the Adelaide event, this evolution brings the breakaway tour closer to the traditional rhythm of the sport they love, yet it raises complex questions about the future of golf's fractured landscape.

The Big Swing: A Strategic Shift to 72 Holes

The headline news is simple but profound: LIV Golf is going the distance. According to reports from CBS Sports, the league will transition from its condensed 54-hole model to the industry-standard 72-hole format for its individual events beginning next season. This aligns LIV with the structure used by the PGA Tour, major championships, and the DP World Tour—essentially, the global standard for professional stroke play.

This isn't just about adding 18 more holes; it is a calculated manoeuvre in the high-stakes game of legitimacy. For years, LIV’s 54-hole format—the name itself is derived from the Roman numeral for 54, LIV—has been the primary stumbling block for its application for OWGR points. The ranking body previously cited the format, along with the lack of a cut and the closed-shop nature of the league, as reasons for LIV’s application being withdrawn. By adopting 72 holes, LIV is addressing the most visible technical objection, hoping to force the door open for world ranking points that are crucial for players aiming to qualify for majors.

However, the move has not been met with universal applause. PGA Tour loyalist and world number three, Rory McIlroy, offered a candid assessment during a press conference. "It’s peculiar," McIlroy said, as reported by ESPN. "They’ve spent three years telling everyone how great the 54-hole format is, and now they’re changing it." He further speculated that the shift was less about the "product" and more about chasing the rankings, noting, "It seems like they are chasing the world ranking points, which they probably should."

The Australian Connection: A Win for the Fans?

For the legion of Australian golf fans, this news hits close to home. LIV Golf has found a fervent, almost cult-like following in Australia. Events in Adelaide and Melbourne have arguably been the best-attended and most electric tournaments on the entire LIV schedule. The vibrant "Chainsaw" crowds and the festival-like atmosphere have been a breath of fresh air, largely thanks to the relaxed, high-energy vibe that 54 holes encourages.

However, the shift to 72 holes brings the product closer to what local fans are used to seeing during the Australian Open or PGA Championship. It potentially legitimizes the league in the eyes of the broader sporting public, bridging the gap between the "rebel" league and the traditional game. The extra round also means more drama, more opportunities for comebacks, and potentially, more opportunities to see stars like Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, and Cameron Percy in action over the weekend.

The View from the Locker Room

While McIlroy offered skepticism, the reaction from within the LIV camp has been largely positive. Spanish superstar Jon Rahm, who joined LIV in a blockbuster move, welcomed the change. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rahm stated plainly: "This is a win for the league, and the players."

Why the enthusiasm? For the players who left the PGA Tour, the 72-hole format feels like a return to their comfort zone. Many of these players grew up playing four-round events. There is a perception that 54 holes, while exciting, can sometimes leave players feeling slightly unfulfilled—especially those who are "grinders" by nature. Furthermore, a four-round tournament offers a larger sample size, theoretically rewarding the best players over the long haul rather than allowing a hot putter over three days to dictate the winner.

Contextual Background: The OWGR Standoff

To understand why this change is happening now, we must look back at the turbulent history of the last few years. Since its inception in 2022, LIV Golf has operated as a distinct ecosystem. It offered massive guaranteed purses (often $25 million per event) but operated outside the established ecosystem of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

The friction point became the OWGR. World ranking points are the currency of modern golf; they determine who gets into the four Majors (The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open). When LIV launched, its players saw their rankings plummet due to a lack of points. LIV applied to become an official ranking pathway, but the OWGR board rejected the application, citing the format (no cut, 54 holes) and the closed nature of the league (no promotion/relegation for the top tier).

By switching to 72 holes, LIV is surgically removing the easiest objection to counter. While the "no cut" format (where all players get paid regardless of performance) remains a sticking point, the four-round structure aligns LIV with the majors and the tours. It is a move designed to put pressure on the ranking body and, perhaps, to facilitate future negotiations for reunification.

The "Shotgun Start" Legacy

One of the most distinct features of LIV—and the element that is not changing—is the shotgun start. In a shotgun start, all players tee off simultaneously on different holes, allowing the entire field to finish at roughly the same time. This creates a festival atmosphere and ensures fans can see the leaders play without having to wait hours for a traditional tee time.

While the move to 72 holes adds an extra day of play, LIV has confirmed the shotgun start will remain for the first three rounds. The Sunday finale will likely be a traditional off-the-first-tee showdown, building tension as the leaders play last. This hybrid model attempts to keep the "cool factor" of LIV while adopting the structural integrity of the traditional game.

Immediate Effects: The Race to the Majors

The immediate impact of this decision is felt in the race for major championships. Australian stars like Cameron Smith have struggled to qualify for the majors solely through their LIV performances because their world rankings have evaporated. Smith, a former Open Champion, relies on past champion status or special invites, but that is not a sustainable long-term strategy.

If LIV is granted OWGR points under the new 72-hole format, the playing field levels significantly. Australian fans could see a full contingent of LIV players—Smith, Leishman, Jones, and others—competing for the Green Jacket at Augusta or the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush without relying on exemptions.

The Stakeholders at a Glance: * LIV Golf: Seeking legitimacy and a pathway for their stars to play in the biggest events. * The Players: Split between those who value the tradition of 72 holes (Rahm, Smith) and those who appreciated the LIV lifestyle (though the lifestyle hasn't changed). * PGA Tour/Rivals: Watching closely. If LIV gets points, the pressure mounts on the PGA Tour to resolve its own merger discussions or risk a permanent schism.

Future Outlook: Unification or Permanent Split?

Looking ahead, this move complicates the already murky "Framework Agreement" talks between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the financial backer of LIV Golf.

Does this change make a merger more likely? Perhaps. By adopting the industry standard, LIV becomes less of an outlier and more of a peer. It removes a major talking point for PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, who has frequently cited LIV’s format as a reason for its incompatibility.

However, it could also strengthen LIV’s hand. If LIV secures OWGR points and retains its high-spending power, it becomes a permanent fixture in the golf landscape, forcing the tours to coexist rather than merge.

For the Australian golf enthusiast, the immediate future is bright. We are looking at a 2026 schedule that likely features a blend of the high-octane LIV entertainment we saw in Adelaide, but with the competitive rigor of a four-round major championship. It is a best-of-both-worlds scenario, provided the OWGR board agrees.

Interesting Fact: The Numbers Game

Did you know that the move to 72 holes increases the total competitive play time by 33%? However, LIV's unique "no cut" format ensures that every player still receives their guaranteed appearance fee, meaning the financial risk for the players remains zero, regardless of the extra 18 holes.

Conclusion

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