LIV or LXXII: Could LIV Golf change to 72 holes?
Talor Gooch says discussions will be had about LIV Golf’s current format following Jon Rahm’s hope for change in the near future…
Jon Rahm could enforce reform at LIV Golf quicker than we thought.
The Spaniard said he hoped the LIV leaders “might listen to some of my advice and maybe see some changes in the future for the better of the game” after announcing his shock move on December 7.
Rahm told us his gripes with the rebel league’s format during the 2022 US Open, judging a shotgun start over three days with no cut as “not a golf tournament.”
Talor Gooch, LIV Golf’s champion of 2023, has confirmed talks will be held over the Saudi-funded league’s format but believes tournaments should remain over 54 holes.
“He has been vocal about some stuff he didn’t love, but he wouldn’t have come to LIV if he thought he was going to win 10 tournaments a year and have no competition,” Gooch said to Golf Digest.
“He’s a true competitor. It’s beyond exciting.
“We haven’t had an open forum discussion with all the players. But you get both sides – guys who would welcome it (72 holes) and some guys who are opposed to it. Discussions will be had, and it’ll be interesting to see what comes of it.
“I think LIV Golf was meant to be something different. I think it’s not supposed to be a carbon copy of the rest of professional golf. I lean towards keeping it at 54 holes.
“Part of it too, from my experience on the PGA Tour, was Thursdays are just irrelevant from a fan perspective (except for) only a couple of times a year.
“I’ve always been an advocate of – I think the majors absolutely should be four rounds, but I don’t necessarily think everything else should be four rounds, almost similar to tennis.
“We want to do everything we can to make the most entertaining product but the product that’s going to reveal the best golfer.”
Converting to 72 holes would constitute a significant overhaul of the LIV Golf League’s landscape given the league is named after the Roman numeral of 54.
However, this change could boost its bid to earn Official World Golf Ranking points with the shorter format and no cut being current sticking points in the application.
LIV Golf’s application for OWGR legitimacy was rejected in October primarily for its “closed-style” fashion and how the team format affects strategy in the individual format.
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What do you make of this Talor Gooch LIV Golf chat? Could the format change? Tell us on Twitter/X!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
