The latest twist in the LIV Golf saga has added another layer of intrigue to a sport already wrestling with identity, tradition, and rebellion. With its decision to shift from 54-hole to 72-hole tournaments, LIV is attempting to reconcile its disruptive origins with a growing desire for legitimacy, and Rory McIlroy, its fiercest critic, is watching closely.
LIV’s Retreat From Disruption Signals a Strategic Concession
McIlroy, speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, labeled LIV Golf’s move a “peculiar” one, questioning whether the change was even necessary to begin with. “I think they could have got ranking points with three rounds,” he said, casting doubt on the narrative that format alone had been the obstacle to Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) approval. His skepticism is not unfounded. While LIV’s deviation from the 72-hole standard did play a role in its rejection by OWGR, the real issue may have been deeper: questions about the competitive strength of its fields, lack of open qualifying, and team-focused structure.
The Saudi-backed league, launched in 2022, billed itself as a revolution. Its three-day format and massive prize purses were a lure for aging stars and rising talents alike, but its players found themselves adrift from the established ecosystem — dropping rapidly in the world rankings and increasingly locked out of the majors. Dustin Johnson, once a world No. 1, now languishes at 604th. The promise of golf without the grind came at a steep price.
McIlroy Sees Conformity Replacing Chaos
Now, with this about-face, LIV is inching closer to the very system it once sought to disrupt. McIlroy — whose own journey through LIV-related drama has evolved from open hostility to reluctant pragmatism — recognizes the irony. “It brings them back into not really being a destructor,” he observed, suggesting that LIV’s pivot signals a move toward conformity rather than confrontation. But whether the change will truly help LIV players reclaim their place in the global order is far from certain. The damage may already be done.
Despite the potential for world ranking points, McIlroy doubts the benefit will be immediate. With many LIV players having already plummeted in rankings, the weak strength-of-field metrics could render the new 72-hole format largely symbolic. “I don’t know if the ranking points are really going to benefit them,” he said. His comments underscore the difficulty of reversing course after choosing to stand outside the system.
As LIV Evolves, Rory McIlroy Prioritizes Longevity and Balance
While LIV seeks acceptance, McIlroy is entering a new chapter of his own. The 2025 season may well be remembered as his finest: a third Players Championship, a long-awaited win at The Masters, and a clutch Ryder Cup performance capped a career-defining year. Now based at the exclusive Wentworth estate in Berkshire, McIlroy is turning his focus toward selectivity and sustainability.
Looking to 2026, he made clear he’ll play fewer events to maintain performance and prevent injury. “I’m not 23 anymore and I can’t play that schedule forever,” he admitted, citing Justin Rose’s career longevity as a model. In his words, golf “does a really good job of keeping you on the hamster wheel,” but he’s learning to step off, recalibrate, and make each event count.
In the evolving world of professional golf, where tradition meets transformation, McIlroy remains both witness and participant — a champion navigating change with eyes wide open.
