Bubba Watson isn’t mincing words as he gears up for the 2026 LIV Golf season, and he’s got more than just trophies on his mind. While the two-time Masters champion remains laser-focused on nabbing his first individual LIV Golf victory, it’s the league’s latest pivot, a dramatic shift from its signature 54-hole format to a traditional 72-hole structure, that’s sparked a different kind of fire in him.
Watson Pushes Back on LIV Golf After Format Shift
In a candid new interview, Watson doesn’t just disagree with LIV’s decision; he dismantles the rationale behind it.
“Um, no,” was his blunt response when asked whether he supported the change. But the simplicity of that answer belied a deeper conviction. For Watson, the beauty of LIV’s 54-hole setup was in the chaos, the drama, the closeness, the unpredictability that kept fans glued to every shot.
By extending tournaments to 72 holes, LIV is aligning itself more closely with the traditional golf establishment, particularly in a bid to earn the long-elusive recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking. That recognition, or lack thereof, has been a thorn in the side of LIV players, many of whom have watched their world rankings freefall, jeopardizing their access to major championships.
But for Watson, the trade-off comes at too high a cost. “I think we should go three days,” he argued. “When you go four days you’re going to have some more spread out leaders, and it just kind of takes away your last round, right?”
His point is clear: fewer holes mean tighter leaderboards, more contenders in the hunt, and more chaos, the kind fans actually want. “It just makes it better for the fans,” Watson said.
Brooks Leaves LIV, But Watson Says the League Isn’t Flinching
The league’s new CEO, Scott O’Neil, clearly sees things differently. He’s bullish about LIV’s chances of finally being recognized by the OWGR, and the format change is a big part of that strategy. But Watson, ever the straight-shooter, isn’t sold on trading LIV’s unique identity for legitimacy in a system that’s long resisted it.
The interview didn’t stop there. Watson also weighed in on Brooks Koepka’s high-profile return to the PGA Tour, a move that many see as a major defection from LIV. But Watson wasn’t rattled. In fact, he was supportive.
“The league’s in a great spot,” he said. “One person’s not going to dictate what the league’s doing.”
Still, he expressed genuine happiness for Koepka, framing his decision as one rooted in family priorities rather than professional betrayal. “As a friend, I hope he has a great time,” Watson said. “It’s great that he’s still playing professional golf.”
Eyes on the Prize: Bubba’s 2026 Goal Is LIV Golf Gold
And as for Watson’s own 2026 mission? That’s crystal clear. “I want to win on LIV,” he declared. “I haven’t lifted an individual trophy on LIV… I would love to lift a championship trophy for a team on LIV. That’d be another notch on the belt.”
The RangeGoats captain knows what he wants, and format change or not, he’s ready to chase it down.
The season kicks off in early February at LIV Golf Riyadh. And with Watson in the mix, you can bet there will still be plenty of chaos to go around.
