LIV Golf introduced modifications Wednesday that embrace awarding factors to each participant within the area and increasing the variety of gamers who safe standing to 34, taking a step towards rising income for the 57-man league.
The announcement got here because the Official World Golf Rankings Committee was assembly to debate matters together with LIV’s utility to earn rating factors.
LIV had beforehand introduced it could broaden to 72 holes after 4 years of 54-hole tournaments, which led to the Saudi-funded league’s identify (LIV stands for Roman numeral 54).
“The modifications we’re introducing for 2026 are geared toward specializing in consistency, strengthening group golf, and making a clearer path for gamers to achieve standing and development inside the league,” mentioned LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill.
He mentioned the modifications — 72 holes, an expanded taking part in area of three gamers and an expanded factors system — shall be a transparent sign that efficiency issues.
“We consider this evolution will make LIV Golf extra aggressive, extra clear and in the end extra thrilling for gamers, groups and followers all over the world,” O’Neill mentioned.
Probably the most notable change in LIV is increasing the “lock zone” from the highest 24 gamers to the highest 34 gamers. They’re assured to be within the league subsequent 12 months.
Within the “open zone,” gamers lose two spots from the highest 48 to the highest 46, and though they’re free to alter groups, there isn’t any assure that they are going to be capable of take part within the league. Jinichiro Kozuma was among the many 4 gamers who didn’t return from the open zone. Pat Perez was not below contract final season.
Those that end larger than forty seventh place shall be demoted from these aside from the highest forty eighth place.
“These modifications are designed to extend turnover and meritocracy pathways into the league, improve aggressive rigidity all through the season, mirror expanded area sizes in 2026, and supply clearer efficiency benchmarks throughout seasons,” O’Neill mentioned.
Moreover, LIV will award factors to all gamers within the area, not simply the highest 24. Joaquin Niemann gained 5 instances final season, however completed second to Jon Rahm, who gained none. It’s because there have been two tournaments during which the Chilean participant didn’t obtain any factors.
The factors for the highest winners may also be larger.
LIV beforehand introduced that the whole prize pool would attain $30 million, with group prizes doubling to $10 million. Whereas the $20 million in particular person purses will stay the identical, LIV will award $2.3 million to high performers whose groups end within the high three in every occasion.
The season begins on February 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Meritocracy was a serious concern for OWGR when contemplating whether or not to incorporate LIV Golf. Nearly all of gamers had been below contract and the turnover charge was a lot decrease than on different excursions which are a part of the OWGR system.
A vote on LIV will not be regarded as a part of the agenda, however a choice might be made by the top of this week.
LIV began in 2022 with 12 groups and 48 gamers. Since then, participation has expanded to 13 groups, together with 5 non-affiliated gamers, and has gained qualifying occasions and the Asian Tour’s Worldwide Collection.
