It’s been an offseason of dramatic change for LIV Golf ahead of a pivotal 2026 season.
2025 saw the PGA Tour make major strides in its ongoing battle with the Saudi-backed league. All four majors were won by PGA Tour players, only three LIV players made the Ryder Cup, and TV viewing figures showed the tour was winning the popularity contest among fans.
That was followed by a difficult offseason of recruitment for LIV, who failed to land any major names before Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour in a bombshell decision. Their biggest star, Bryson DeChambeau, is under contract until the end of 2026, so the league is in desperate need of a successful season.
And LIV made a major rule change during the offseason, switching from the 54-hole format, which gave the tour its name, to a more traditional 72-hole format. They hope that this will help them become eligible for Official World Golf Ranking points, but it’s a move that splits opinion.
Some players preferred playing 54-holes, and some were calling out for the change, so how do DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, LIV’s two biggest names, feel about the decision?
Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm in agreement about LIV’s format change
LIV Golf’s individual championship was the source of controversy last year, as Rahm won the LIV title without winning a single event. Meanwhile, it was a difficult season for DeChambeau, who won only one event.
If LIV, which is built on its star power, is to succeed, it needs its biggest talents to be at the top of its leaderboards, and that’s simply less likely over 54 holes. One bad round and you’re effectively out of the tournament.
That’s why Rahm and DeChambeau are supportive of the change. DeChambeau, speaking to reporters at a LIV Golf press conference, said, “Real quickly, I think you’ll see some of the best teams compete on another level, so it may separate the worst teams from the best teams.
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“But those best teams will be incredibly competitive, and there will be a lot of shake-up and mix-up up there, so I think it’s going to be a bit of both, to be honest with you. I think it’ll be competitive at the top and then potentially could divide the worst out there over four rounds.
“We’ll see how it shakes out this year. I’m not fully sure. You never know.”
Rahm has been pushing LIV to change to 72 holes since he joined the tour in 2023, and is glad he finally got his wish.
The Spaniard said, “I was going to agree with that and say that for the week in itself, it’s just going to be much better more whoever is playing better, especially as a team, having four rounds, having 72 holes and that one day is going to make a big difference for the teams that are playing better.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be a separation or not, but it also allows you to have more time for a comeback, so we’re going to have days like that, as well.”
Why Bryson DeChambeau’s concerns shouldn’t matter to LIV Golf
DeChambeau’s concerns about the teams and players further down the leaderboard are legitimate. It’s going to be harder for lower-ranked players to compete week in, week out, as they now need an extra day of elite performance to win events.
But that shouldn’t matter to LIV. Their priority now should be to get their biggest names winning events consistently. Another winless season for Rahm would be an abject disaster.
Fans don’t tune into golf events for parity. They want to see the biggest stars in the sport going head-to-head for the win, and that’s what the league’s success depends on.
Should Bryson DeChambeau leave LIV Golf in 2026?
If DeChambeau and Rahm were to duel it out for victories in a fight for the LIV title, then LIV suddenly becomes an intriguing spectacle, and that’s the league’s only path forward.
They cannot concern themselves too much with those further down the leaderboard. Right now, it’s all about Rahm and DeChambeau.
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