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LIV Golf has made a major change by ditching the 54-hole format that has been a staple selling point of the breakaway circuit since its inception.
The Saudi-backed tour confirmed on Tuesday that it will instead pivot to 72 holes in line with the traditional approach, performing a move that appears to be geared towards its long-held aim of gaining world ranking points for LIV tournaments.
It is a significant step, not least because the circuit's very name is the Roman numeral of 54. But it will also be perceived as necessary at a point when they have a fresh application for ranking recognition under consideration at the Official World Golf Ranking body.
LIV's failure to date to secure ranking points in the past three years has seen its star names plummet down the global standings, with the consequence that they have found it increasingly difficult to qualify for the four majors.
There are currently no LIV golfers in the world's top 20 and only Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau appear in the leading 30.
The shift from three-day to four-day tournaments will come into effect for LIV's 2026 season.
Jon Rahm said: 'This is a win for the League, and the players. We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and to perfect our craft.
'Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step that strengthens the competition, tests us more fully, and if the growing galleries from last season are any indication, delivers more of what the fans want.
DeChambeau said: 'Everyone wants to see the best players in the world competing against each other, especially in the majors, and for the good of the game, we need a path forward. By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognised globally.'
Heading into its fifth season, LIV appears to have hit an inertia, with marquee player signings slowing down after the initial explosion of big-money signings.
That has been coupled with the expiration of star contracts, including Dustin Johnson. Johnson is expected to re-sign imminently, as revealed by Daily Mail Sport last month.
