LIV Golf occasions will probably be prolonged to 72 holes from 2026, placing them according to the game’s established excursions.
The Saudi Arabia-backed circuit started in 2022 with 54-hole occasions and the unconventional format of occasions performed a task in gamers being denied official rating factors.
Most LIV occasions have been performed from Friday to Sunday however will now be contested from Thursday of event weeks – aside from a Wednesday begin for February’s LIV Golf Riyadh.
Two-time main winner Jon Rahm, who received his second straight LIV title in August, stated that “it is a win for the league, and the gamers”.
“LIV Golf is a participant’s league,” stated the previous world primary. “We’re opponents to the core and we would like each alternative to compete on the highest degree and to excellent our craft.
“Shifting to 72 holes is the logical subsequent step that strengthens the competitors, checks us extra absolutely, and, if the rising galleries from final season are any indication, delivers extra of what the followers need.”
Official World Golf Rating (OWGR) factors play a key function in figuring out entry into golf’s 4 majors.
LIV Golf gamers have slid down the rankings with Rahm now 71st on the planet whereas Dustin Johnson, one other former world primary, is 604th.
“Taking part in 72 holes simply feels a little bit extra like the large tournaments we have all grown up enjoying,” stated Johnson. “I’ve at all times preferred the grind of 4 rounds.”
Bryson DeChambeau, who can be on the LIV tour, added: “Everybody desires to see the very best gamers on the planet competing towards one another, particularly within the majors, and for the great of the sport, we want a path ahead.”
For every common season occasion, the person competitors will probably be determined over 72 holes of stroke play.
The workforce competitors will proceed to run concurrently, with every workforce’s cumulative particular person stroke play scores figuring out the workforce outcome.
“The transfer to 72 holes marks a pivotal new chapter for LIV Golf that strengthens our league, challenges our elite subject of gamers, and delivers extra of the world-class golf, power, innovation and entry that our world viewers desires,” stated LIV Golf chief government Scott O’Neil.
“Probably the most profitable leagues all over the world – IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL – proceed to innovate and evolve their product, and as an rising league, we aren’t any completely different.”
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