LIV Golf has big changes planned for its new season, which returns in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
LIV Golf could scrap its team format from the 2026 season, but one confirmed change is the move from 54 holes to 72.
Fans had mixed reactions to LIV Golf moving to 72 holes, which is a move that could result in players on the Saudi-backed tour earning world ranking points.
Currently, LIV Golf events are not recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system, of which the top spots are dominated by PGA Tour players.
McIlroy has called LIV’s 72-hole move “peculiar”, but many of the players involved with the tour have welcomed the decision, including Tyrrell Hatton.
Rick Shiels reacts to LIV Golf’s switch from 54 holes to 72
Rick Shiels has now shared his take on the situation, saying on The Rick Shiels Golf Show: “LIV Golf announced this week that from next year, from February when it kicks off again in Saudi Arabia, they are now going to four rounds of golf, 72 holes.
“A lot of player statements came out who are on LIV Golf, who are obviously supporting it. Rory McIlroy branded it as peculiar.
“He doesn’t think it affects world ranking points, but surely it does if you’re doing 72 holes, because that was a sticking point for world ranking points, that they were only playing 54 holes?
“They are now creating pathways for more players to be joining, talking now about potentially, if this was official or something I read, but looking at being 57 players next year.
“There are qualifying events taking place in January that players can actually participate in to become players on LIV Golf, professional golfers of a certain standard.
“It certainly seems to be moving into a different direction, a new chapter for LIV Golf. I’m intrigued to see how it’s going to pan out, because I think at certain venues… like Adelaide will love an extra day. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, you could have sold out five more times.
“I think other venues, it might just be quite interesting to see how that audience… hopefully it picks up more audience. They go ‘great, I’m going for another day’.
“They’re going to go for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday potentially. It’s just a very bold move, new chapter. Excited to see what it all means.”
READ MORE: How multiple PGA Tour players have reacted to LIV Golf potentially earning world ranking points
Rick Shiels highlights ‘clear’ problem with the Official World Golf Ranking system
Shiels also shared his perspective on the current OWGR system, where just three LIV Golf players are in the top 50.
Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed are in that group, with current individual champion Jon Rahm now 74th after the latest update.
Shiels commented: “Right now I think it’s fair to say that the Official World Ranking is not particularly perfect, because there are a lot of players, certainly playing on LIV Golf, who aren’t now obtaining world ranking points, therefore slipping down the ranking like crazy.
“Some have managed to hold on to a strong position, someone like a Jon Rahm or a Tyrell Hatton who have still been going out and playing DP World Tour events.”
And when told Rahm had dropped to 71st place, which has since changed to 74th, Shiels said: “I mean, he is not the 71st best player in the world. It’s clear to see there’s something wrong with that system at the moment.”
It’s certainly an intriguing situation, with Tom McKibbin’s recent victory at the Hong Kong Open allowing for further debate.
A teammate of Rahm on LIV Golf, world number 84 McKibbin qualified for The Masters and The Open Championship with his win.
And the current Data Golf Rankings simply add to the intrigue, with Rahm occupying fourth spot there at this moment in time.
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