A Bold pivot for LIV Golf
In a move that could reshape the schedule and pacing of professional golf, LIV Golf announced on Tuesday that it will shift from its current 54-hole format to a 72-hole format beginning in 2026. The plan keeps LIV’s reputation for aggressive scheduling and bold experimentation intact, but adds two extra rounds to each event. As the league positions itself in direct contrast to conventional tours, the decision underscores LIV’s willingness to adjust its model in response to competitive and commercial pressures.
What changes with the 72-hole format
The core change is straightforward: each LIV Golf event will expand from 54 holes to 72 holes over four days, typically with a cut after the 36th hole. The format shift is designed to maintain LIV’s fast-paced days while introducing more golf to decide each tournament. Organizers emphasize that the 72-hole structure will preserve the league’s signature elements, including team-based competition integrated into events and a lighter, more viewable overall package for fans and sponsors.
Shotgun starts, which LIV has used to accelerate pacing and reduce day-to-day travel, are expected to continue as part of the event structure, even as the field and schedule grow. In practical terms, players will face a longer path to victory, with added stress and more opportunities for comebacks across the weekend.
Implications for players and fans
For players, the extended format means adjusting stamina planning, mental preparation, and course management over an extra day. It could favor players with deeper endurance and steadier execution, while amplifying the impact of any early-round missteps. LIV’s leadership argues that the longer events can heighten drama, giving audiences more moments of shift and strategy, especially in the team competition portion that sits alongside individual results.
Fans may welcome the deeper test of skill and the chance to see more golf in a single event. However, longer tournaments could affect broadcast windows, ticket pricing, and travel planning for supporters who follow LIV events around the globe. The introduction of a 72-hole format also raises questions about how the league will balance competition, entertainment, and the cost structure for players and organizers over an extended schedule.
Scheduling, logistics, and competition landscape
LIV Golf’s 2026 timeline will require adjustments to its calendar and travel logistics. The league has focused on creating a compact, high-energy product with quick returns for sponsors; expanding to 72 holes tests that model while inviting a broader spectrum of players who can showcase endurance and resilience over four rounds. The decision will likely influence how LIV coordinates with existing tours and whether it will lead to further experimentation in scoring, format twists, or additional team-based mechanics to complement the longer play.
Reactions from the golf world
Industry observers are watching closely to see how traditional players and sponsors respond to a longer championship. Proponents of LIV’s format say the change legitimizes its growth by aligning with a classic definition of tournament length, while critics warn about potential dilution of the product if pacing or competition gets bogged down. Regardless of sentiment, LIV’s move signals a major shift in the evolving landscape of professional golf, as leagues continually recalibrate to attract audiences, players, and investors.
Looking ahead
As LIV Golf finalizes the specifics of the 72-hole schedule, the broader implications for the sport—ranging from player development and sponsorship strategies to broadcast rights and fan engagement—will unfold. The league’s proactive shift to longer events marks a new chapter in its ongoing bid to redefine competitive golf on the world stage.
