Image Credit: Today’s Golfer
Rory McIlroy has expressed surprise over LIV Golf’s decision to extend its tournaments from 54 to 72 holes. The move, announced Tuesday, aligns LIV events with the traditional four-round format used by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
McIlroy, one of LIV’s most vocal critics, called the change “a peculiar move,” suggesting the league didn’t need to alter its structure to gain Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition.
“I think it’s a peculiar move because I think they could have got ranking points with three rounds,” McIlroy said. “I don’t think three rounds versus four rounds is what was holding them back.”
LIV’s push for world ranking points
LIV Golf’s format change appears to be another effort to secure OWGR points after its initial application was denied in 2023. The rejection cited the league’s limited access for players and concerns that the team format interfered with the individual competition.
Since then, LIV has tried to address these issues. It added an extra qualifying spot through its LIV Golf Promotions event and expanded entry for players in the International Series starting in 2026.
Other 54-hole tours already accredited
McIlroy’s comments highlight a key point: 54 holes alone aren’t the issue. The Clutch Pro Tour, which runs 54-hole tournaments, was approved by OWGR in 2024 after a 17-month review. The MENA Tour, another 54-hole circuit, has also been recognized since 2016.
That context raises questions about whether LIV’s problem truly lies in its format or in its closed structure and team integration.
Player rankings continue to slide
Meanwhile, several LIV stars have seen their OWGR positions tumble due to the lack of ranking events. Jon Rahm, once a top-3 player, has dropped to No. 71. Bryson DeChambeau sits at No. 23, and Joaquin Niemann has fallen to No. 122 despite strong performances within LIV.
McIlroy believes this decline will affect the league’s long-term goal. “Even if they get World Rankings, their fields are going to be so weak because the players have already fallen in the rankings,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how it plays out.”
A move toward conformity
By adopting the 72-hole format, LIV Golf may be trading its disruptive identity for a chance at legitimacy in the global golf structure. Whether this shift helps the league’s players regain their world rankings remains to be seen.
