Unified Future? LIV Golf Moves to 72 Holes as OWGR Adjusts Policy

NEW YORK — In a landmark decision that could reshape professionalism golf's fractured landscape, LIV Golf has officially announced that its 2026 season will feature 72-hole individual competitions, abandoning the 54-hole format that has defined the league since its inception.

Structural Changes for 2026

The move to 72 holes is seen as a direct effort to align with the requirements of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and major championship eligibility criteria. While the team format will remain, individual events will now mirror the traditional four-day endurance test found on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

"Our goal has always been to feature the best players in the world competing at the highest level," a LIV Golf spokesperson said. "Moving to 72 holes eliminates the biggest argument against our competitive integrity."

OWGR's New 75% Rule

Coinciding with LIV's announcement, the OWGR Governing Board revealed a major policy update on New Year's Eve Eve. Effective immediately, professional events played over 54 holes on recognized tours will now be eligible for ranking points, albeit at a reduced rate.

Under the new policy, 54-hole events will receive 75% of the ranking points compared to equivalent 72-hole tournaments. This ruling provides a lifeline for LIV events held in late 2025 (before the 2026 shift) and other 54-hole tours, finally offering a pathway for their players to earn world ranking points.

Unification on the Horizon?

With LIV adopting the 72-hole standard and the OWGR softening its stance on 54-hole events, the barriers between the rival factions are crumbling. For the International Team at the Presidents Cup, this is massive news. It potentially opens the door for LIV stars like Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann to regain eligibility or at least maintain competitive world rankings heading into the 2026 matches at Medinah.