LIV Golf’s move to 72 holes is unpopular among players and unlikely to help with OWGR recognition. A closer look.
Social media has been flooded with jokes and memes ever since LIV Golf announced its shift from 54 to 72 holes. Given that LIV represents the Roman numeral for 54, many are wondering if the Saudi-backed league should now be renamed LXXII. But that’s likely the least of LIV’s concerns right now.
LIV Golf abandons a core part of its identity
The decision has sparked a credibility crisis. Critics argue that LIV has abandoned one of its founding principles. While the 54-player field remains unchanged for now, trademark filings suggest new teams may be added, potentially expanding the roster. This would further strain the league’s identity and its already limited format.
Sportskeeda Golf summed it up: “Three years of chaos, cash, and controversy. And now LIV Golf bows to the system it sought to overthrow. 54 is dead. 72 is the new revolution.”
There are rumors of new teams targeting markets like India, and with two players set to join from the Asian Tour’s International Series and two more from LIV Promotions, the 54-player cap seems increasingly obsolete.
72 holes won’t solve LIV’s OWGR problem
Some see the change as an attempt to gain OWGR points under new chairman Trevor Immelman. But as Rory McIlroy and others have pointed out, the 54-hole format isn’t the main issue. It’s the limited field and lack of open access that make LIV look like a closed shop rather than a true alternative to traditional tours.
Golf analyst Lou Stagner noted: “LIV’s mistake was their model. Limited fields, 54 holes, shotgun starts, and no real open pathway. A smarter launch would’ve looked more like a regular tour.”
What’s next to go: Teams, shotgun starts, or no-cut events?
With this shift, many wonder what’s next. Will the team format be scrapped? Shotgun starts eliminated? Could a cut be introduced? As Saudi funding potentially decreases, will the franchise model survive? LIV risks becoming just another tour—exactly what it claimed it would never be.
National Club Golfer criticized the move as a return to a “syrupy” old format that the PGA and DP World Tours have long struggled with. Even the idea that players wanted this change doesn’t hold up: only 3 of 48 LIV players supported 72 holes in a 2024 survey, according to Tyrrell Hatton.
Lex Rahm and a nod to DeChambeau?
It’s easy to see why stars like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau support the change—they have major ambitions and prefer consistency with traditional formats. Rahm even hinted that 72 holes were a condition for his switch to LIV. DeChambeau, meanwhile, is negotiating a contract extension through 2026.
Rahm said, “This is a win for the league and the players. We are competitors and want to perform at the highest level. Moving to 72 holes