As More Stars Express Their Disapproval, Will LIV Golf Break Away From Its Radical Format?

Shotgun starts. Three-day events. No cut. The unique aspect of LIV Golf has also been its biggest chink in the armor. Unsurprisingly, in a sport where ‘history’ and ‘tradition’ are like catechisms, the revolutionary format was bound to be considered sacrilegious.

First of all, ‘no-cut’ events have led many, including professional golfers, to believe that it takes competitiveness away from the game. Furthermore, the team play format also restricted its access to OWGR points. OWGR, meanwhile, announced some major changes that might benefit LIV Golf in the future but refused to change its stance toward the breakaway league.

It’s a double whammy for the nascent league, as the players who are still willing to adapt to the 54-hole format are not ready to jeopardize their Major and Ryder Cup chances. Most recently, Viktor Hovland admitted the league’s format doesn’t appeal to him. Jon Rahm, too, was quite open about his discontent with the format. So, will the mounting pressure and the quest for legitimacy force LIV Golf to change its format?

Players are not convinced by the radical format

Viktor Hovland was rumored to be following in the footsteps of Jon Rahm. However, the Norwegian feels the no-cut format doesn’t foster growth. Appearing on one of Discovery’s golf podcast, FORE, the 2023 PGA Tour Championship winner said, “I don’t think their product is that great. I’m not such a fan of, for example, playing without a cut. You need the competition with 150 players and a cut. If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer.”

A few days later, his Scandinavian counterpart, Ludvig Aberg, echoed similar sentiments. The 24-year-old said LIV Golf approached him twice, but he rejected it. There were certain “red flags” that prevented him from switching to the Saudi-backed side.

The 2023 RSM Classic winner said in a recent interview, “There were a number of red flags, which is not good. We realized that I could potentially burn a lot of bridges, and I wasn’t interested in that.” The Swede has yet to tee up at any major, so no exemption guarantees his lifetime participation. Moreover, the way former PGA Tour pros have slipped in the World Golf Rankings after switching sides would have made it well and truly impossible for the OWGR 32 to tee up at the four majors.

But it’s not just Aberg and Hovland; even Jon Rahm was opposed to this radical format. ESPN reported that LIV Golf might look to make some changes in its format to appease the Spaniard. However, there are dissident voices inside the upstart league as well.

A rift within LIV Golf?

“Shotgun three days to me is not a golf tournament, no cut. It’s that simple.” That was Jon Rahm not so long ago. Although since then a lot has changed—the Spaniard is now on the other side gearing up to helm his team—the defending Masters champion was skeptical about the format even while joining the fledgling league.

While announcing his decision to join LIV Golf, the current World No. 3 indicated that he expected LIV Golf to make some changes. “I’m hopeful that the leaders of LIV Golf might listen to some of my advice and see some changes for the future and for the betterment of the game.” However, Rahm has since gone soft on the matter.

Quizzed about the format a few days later, the 11-time PGA Tour winner thought it best to carefully sidestep the issue of 54-hole and no-cut formats with an eulogium to the team-play aspect. But Jon Rahm didn’t seem too earnest about that either.

Interestingly, not every golfer is on board with a format change. For some, like Talor Gooch, the 54-hole format makes the league unique.  “I think LIV Golf was meant to be something different; I think it’s not supposed to be a carbon copy of the rest of professional golf. I lean towards keeping it at 54 holes.” It was ironic considering the format came in the way of getting OWGR points, resulting in players like Gooch missing their shots at the Majors.

But the 2023 LIV Golf individual champion admits that if there is ever an open forum, both sides would emerge. Greg Norman might be at a crossroads, and he might have to pick a side. Surprisingly, the PGA Tour can call the shots on this.

Read More: After Jon Rahm’s $566 Million move, Is LIV Golf Poaching More Young Stars?

As per the $3 billion merger agreement, the PGA Tour was slated to have some say in the planning and strategy of the rival league. The initial deal agreed that a board would be created with a PGA Tour majority, the Athletics reported.

It depends on which way the merger agreement goes after it reaches its deadline on December 31. Should the PGA Tour decide to go ahead with the merger, it’ll unify the warring parties. So, the signature events can have the team aspect of the LIV Golf, whereas the LIV Golf might transform into a 72-hole format with cuts. However, that’ll surely put a dent in its identity, something LIV Golf’s ‘home-grown’ star, Talor Gooch, might not like.

Watch this Story: ‘Fractured and Politicized’: Alan Shipnuck Thrashes the PGA Tour Amid Jon Rahm’s Massive Money Jump