Rory McIlroy Expresses Thoughts On ‘Peculiar’ LIV Golf Change For 2026
Rory McIlroy has been one of the most vocal critics of LIV Golf. The organization recently announced a significant change to its identity, revealing that its tournaments will move to a 72-hole format starting in 2026. The move is a clear attempt to align with traditional golf standards and gain Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. However, one of the PGA Tour’s most prominent voices, Rory McIlroy, has expressed skepticism about the decision, calling it a “peculiar move.”
A Departure from the Original Model
Since its inception, LIV Golf has built its brand around being a disruptor, with 54-hole tournaments (LIV is 54 in Roman numerals), shotgun starts, and a team component. The shift to a 72-hole format marks a major departure from this model and signals a concession to the established golf world. The primary driver for this change is the league’s long-standing quest for OWGR points, which have been denied, in part, due to its non-traditional format.
Speaking to reporters at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, McIlroy questioned the timing and effectiveness of the change. He believes the format was not the sole reason LIV was denied ranking points and that this pivot may not have the intended impact.
Rory McIlroy’s “Peculiar” Critique
McIlroy, a vocal critic of LIV Golf since its launch, shared his doubts about the league’s new direction. He argued that the move to 72 holes might be too little, too late, especially since many LIV players have already seen their world rankings plummet without access to points for so long.
“I think it’s a peculiar move because I think they could have got ranking points with three rounds,” McIlroy explained. “I don’t think three rounds versus four rounds is what was holding them back.”
He pointed out that even if LIV events start receiving points, the weakened fields—a result of players falling down the rankings—will yield a low point allocation. “I don’t know if the ranking points are really going to benefit them,” he added, suggesting the damage to players’ standings has already been done.
Falling in Line with Tradition
Ultimately, McIlroy views this change as LIV Golf abandoning its role as a disruptor and conforming to the very system it sought to upend.
“It certainly puts them more in line with traditional golf tournaments than what we’ve all done,” he said. “It brings them back into not really being a destructor and sort of is falling more in line with what everyone else does.”
While the change to 72 holes may help LIV Golf in its bid for legitimacy within the sport’s official structures, it also strips away a key differentiator that defined the league. As McIlroy’s comments highlight, the road to recognition is complex, and simply changing the number of holes played may not be the silver bullet LIV is hoping for. The golf world will be watching closely to see if this strategic pivot pays off or if it’s simply a case of conforming after the fact.
