LIV Golf announces change to 72-hole, 4-round format starting in 2026

The world of golf is going to experience a serious change in 2026.

LIV Golf announced on Tuesday that they are altering their format beginning with their next season. Starting in 2026 all LIV tournaments will be of the 72-hole, 4-round variety.

Since its inception, LIV Golf events have featured a three-day 54-hole competition, playing the majority of events from Friday through Sunday. In 2026, all events will be played over four days, generally beginning on Thursday of event weeks (Wednesday, February 4 for LIV Golf Riyadh presented by ROSHN). The same high-energy, team and individual competition format remains core to the League’s DNA, along with the world-class event experiences that are central to LIV Golf’s impact on and off the course.

“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,” said Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO. “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.”  

For each regular season event, the individual competition will be decided over 72 holes of stroke play, while the team competition will continue to run concurrently, with each team’s cumulative individual stroke play scores determining the team’s result. Central to LIV Golf’s identity and offering, the shotgun starts remain, ensuring the condensed, faster-paced event experience embraced by players and fans. The format for the season-ending Team Championship will be announced at a later date.

This is the most seismic change that LIV Golf has undergone since launching as a tour. LIV originally touted its 54-hole format, LIV is 54 in Roman numerals, and has used it as a point of pride when talking about their advantages relative to the PGA Tour for years now.

It goes without saying that such a significant trade would not come without a proper endgame in place for LIV. This seems very much like a play towards finally achieving OWGR points which would fully validate them as an option for players where they can still establish eligibility for major championships.