LIV Golf returns in Riyadh on Wednesday after a turbulent off season and will feature a 72-hole format for the first time. However, Bryson DeChambeau is not a fan of the Saudi backed tour moving from 54 to 72 holes.
The move was announced in a bid to aid LIV’s quest to be eligible for world rankings points. It is arguably the biggest change to the breakaway tour since its inception in 2022 given that its model was based on being 54 holes. It’s in the name…
While there appears to have been a majority buy in from the LIV players, the two-time US Open champion isn’t exactly chomping at the bit to play an extra round of golf.
“It’s definitely changed away from what we had initially been told it was going to be,” he told Today’s Golfer.
“Look, it’s 72 holes, it’s changed, but we’re still excited to play professionally and play for what we’re doing and go across the world. I think it’s going to be great for our [Crushers GC] team.
“Is it what we ultimately signed up for? No. So I think we’re supposed to be different, so I’m a little indifferent to it right now.
“Hopefully it weighs positively on me over the course of time, but you never know. I’m not sure. We didn’t sign up to play for 72.”
It’s been a bruising winter for LIV Golf who have failed to attract any blockbuster names and instead have seen Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed return to the PGA Tour in recent weeks.
That leaves DeChambeau and Jon Rahm as the poster boys for the tour and it’s clear that both players have different visions for the tour going forward. Although both players contracts expire at the end of this campaign.
Rahm admitted that he was a huge advocate for moving from 54 to 72 holes and is pleased with the change ahead of the night golf event in Riyadh.
“I’m happy about it. I would say I was one of the people that pushed for it. So obviously I’m happy about it.
“I think the more golf we play, the better for stronger teams and stronger players, and I think it will benefit us four individuals and as a team, as well.”
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