LIV could completely scrap team golf next after going to 72 holes, according to Ryan Lavner

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LIV Golf will be all change for the 2026 season, led by the significant format switch from 54 holes to 72 holes.

LIV’s format change received a mixed reaction from fans, who had become accustomed to the shorter version of golf on the Saudi-backed tour.

The 54-hole format even helped generate the name of the breakaway tour, with LIV representing the number in Roman numerals.

Tyrrell Hatton has welcomed the 72-hole format, which should force fans into taking the league much more seriously.

LIV Golf could completely scrap team format after move to 72 holes

According to Ryan Lavner, however, that major change could be shortly followed by another significant move from the powers that be.

He suggested on the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav: “My theory or hypothesis is that maybe the team element is the next to go.

“LIV has spent basically the past four years trumpeting these franchises, talking about how profitable they can and will be, but I think by any objective measure it has not resonated with a large scale audience, the team concept.

“Now when you are broadening and lengthening the amount of stroke play competition where literally the Crushers’ team total you are adding up over 72 holes and they are declared the winner.

“That is so secondary, to now going to 72 holes, which is very clearly an individual competition. That is the recognised number of holes and the recognised tournament structure.

“It’s 72 holes of competition, it’s going to be an individual based performance. That is what the league is going to be.

“So if you have already removed one of the central tenets of LIV Golf, which is 54 holes and being a disruptor and doing something differently, why not abandon the team concept altogether? Why even have these team races?

“Why not just essentially create a loaded world, global circuit of major championship winners, former world number ones, maybe you increase the field sizes to 70 players. You are touching parts of the global economy which maybe weren’t accessed previously.

“Why not just lean into LIV Golf being the global tour, thus putting it in a pretty intense rivalry with the DP World Tour?”

READ MORE: The PGA Tour criticized for making ‘stupid’ decision following on from LIV Golf’s recent announcement

What is the LIV Golf schedule for 2026 as 72-hole format confirmed?

Lavner won’t be the only one left with many questions after LIV Golf’s rule change, which will result in a completely different competition next season.

Fans do, however, have to wait until the start of February for the 2026 season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Intriguingly, Jon Rahm had pushed for 72 holes on LIV Golf, with the Spaniard’s wish now finally coming true.

Listening to the two-time major winner would certainly be a wise move going forward, particularly given Rahm has clinched back-to-back LIV Golf individual titles.