We all know that LIV Golf hosts 54-hole events similar to the PGA Tour Champions.
But major championships like this week’s Masters Tournament are played over 72 holes, as are prominent circuits around the world such as the PGA Tour.
Therefore, the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), which helps determine major championship disciplines, does not award LIV Golf OWGR points. While other reasons, such as player demotion or promotion, also influence this decision, the 54-hole structure is a big factor.
So Phil Mickelson, the six-time major champion who also helped give LIV golf a bad name, predicts significant changes are coming soon.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of the LIV events were 72nd,” Mickelson said after the final round at Augusta National.
“I don’t think it matters one way or the other. Each competitive round is an opportunity to progress and get better. There are players on tour who only play 36 holes. This week we had a lot of players who only played 36 games. . Every competitive round is an opportunity to play well and compete. I don’t think it makes any difference.”
Interestingly, defending champion Jon Rahm also called for similar changes ahead of this week’s Masters.
“If there was a way for LIV to go 72 holes, I think it would really help this whole discussion,” Rahm said.
“I think the closer we can get LIV Golf to other things, the better it will be. I think it’s to bring some kind of unification to the World Tour and things like that. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the 72 I definitely wouldn’t mind going back to the hall.”
Of course, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf remain divided, even though stakeholders on both sides are working toward an agreement to reunite professional golf. As Rahm hinted, the switch to 72 holes could speed up negotiations and help establish a new structure.
Alternatively, the OWGR may recognize LIV Golf and award Saudi-backed circuit points. If that were to happen, it would open the door for LIV players to earn their way to a major championship, but that is not a possibility at this time.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
