• LIV Golf announces transition to a 72-hole tournament format starting in 2026.
• The move aims to align events more closely with traditional golf tours.
• Players believe this change will help improve their standings in major tournaments.
• The new format addresses previous challenges regarding Official World Golf Ranking points.
• Top LIV players, including Jon Rahm, express strong support for the change.

LIV Golf has officially announced that its events will transition to a 72-hole format starting in 2026, moving away from the 54-hole events it has employed since its inception in 2022. This change is expected to align LIV's events more closely with the traditional formats of established tours like the PGA Tour, which typically feature four rounds of play, beginning on Thursdays, according to Reuters, BBC, and South China Morning Post.

The shift to a longer format is seen as a critical step in enhancing the competitive landscape for LIV Golf players. Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion, stated, "This is a win for the league and the players... We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level," emphasizing the positive implications for player development and performance, as reported by Reuters and BBC.

With many players declining in their world rankings due to the absence of ranking points—like Dustin Johnson, currently ranked 604th—the new format could significantly improve their chances of qualifying for major tournaments. Bryson DeChambeau noted that moving to 72 holes "is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognized globally," which could help LIV players regain their competitiveness in the sport's largest events, according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil emphasized that extending the tournament format not only strengthens their league but also fosters a competitive environment. He remarked that successful sports leagues worldwide continually innovate, suggesting that this decision is a move towards greater acceptance and recognition within the golfing community, as discussed in Reuters and South China Morning Post.