Exclusive: Sergio Garcia believes LIV Golf moving to 72 holes can now pave the way for OWGR points

Sergio Garcia has told GolfMagic he’s "happy" with LIV Golf’s decision to switch from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026 — and believes the change could finally pave the way for the breakaway league to receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

LIV Golf dropped a bombshell on Tuesday when confirming the league was expanding from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026. 

While a huge update in its own right, the big question on everyone's lips right now is will LIV Golf finally be given a key to enter the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR)? 

LIV Golf has been shut out of receiving world ranking points ever since its inception in the summer of 2022. 

The OWGR board previously turned down LIV Golf’s request for points in October 2023. 

The decision has meant just about every LIV Golf player has fallen dramatically down the world ladder, with many having to rely on major, DP World Tour or Asian Tour starts in order to pick up any ranking points at all. 

For others, the fall has been so hard that it's knocked them out of all four majors. 

Former OWGR chairman Peter Dawson deemed LIV Golf's 54-hole, no-cut events for 48 players was its biggest drawback. 

Dawson wrote in a letter to LIV Golf's former chief executive Greg Norman and chief operating officer Gary Davidson that "at this time" it would not be recognised as an eligible golf tour within the OWGR system.

He did leave the door ajar though, citing if LIV Golf makes significant changes to its format then the application could be resubmitted. 

Fast forward more than two years, and Dawson has now been replaced as OWGR chairman by 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman, while LIV Golf has made "significant changes" both on and off the course. 

LIV Golf has not only attracted some of the game's hottest properties such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton since last being rejected by the OWGR board, but it's also now rung major changes to its format ahead of its fifth season. 

The breakaway golf league announced Tuesday an expanded 72-hole format that marks the next chapter of its mission to grow and celebrate the sport for a new era of players and fans around the world. 

Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia could not hide his delight at the announcement when we approached him for comment. 

Though the all-time record Ryder Cup points scorer hopes the format change will soon lend itself to OWGR points.

"Yeah I'm happy about it [moving to 72 holes]," Garcia told GolfMagic. 

"I think it's going to give us more exposure and it's going to make it even more competitive if it can be, and also if it's going to help us with the possibility of getting world ranking points, obviously it's a plus that we want to take the opportunity to do. So I think that's very important, not only for us but for the younger guys. But I think at the end of the day it's going to give our fans one more day to enjoy watching us, so I think it's all positive."

Garcia's views are slightly different to that of PGA Tour superstar Rory McIlroy, however, who deems LIV Golf's latest update a "peculiar move".

While LIV Golf events will still comprise shotgun starts to ensure a fast-paced event experience, and team events will continue to run alongside individual events, a number of further updates have been made by the Saudi-bankrolled league this week.

LIV Golf has expanded its exemptions from one to two players through both The International Series, a set of elevated events sanctioned by the Asian Tour, and its annual Promotions tournament that takes place in Florida for the first time in January. Not that LIV Golf can do anything about it, but the PGA Tour has just fired a warning shot towards the latter. 

The LIV Golf League will also continue to operate with both promotion and relegation - likely another positive when the OWGR board next gets round the discussion table. 

But there's no doubt the switch from 54 to 72 holes marks the league's biggest amendment yet - and a timely reminder for us all to expect the unexpected from LIV Golf. 

"The move to 72 holes marks a pivotal new chapter for LIV Golf that strengthens our League, challenges our elite field of players, and delivers more of the world-class golf, energy, innovation and access that our global audience wants," LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil wrote in a press release. 

"We’re seeing upward momentum and traction from Hong Kong to Adelaide to Indianapolis, and that heightened interest opens the door to add another day of golf while benefiting our fans, players, marketing partners, and our global media partners.

"The most successful leagues around the world - IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL - continue to innovate and evolve their product, and as an emerging league, we are no different. LIV Golf will always have an eye towards progress that acts in the best interest of LIV Golf and in the best interest of the sport."

O'Neil has also reportedly told Sports Business Journal this week that he and the PGA Tour's incoming CEO Brian Rolapp share a common view heading into the 2026 season —  despite both Tours still being no nearer to unifying the professional game. 

Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm, who captured his second straight Individual Championship this season, commented of the format change: "This is a win for the League, and the players.

"LIV Golf is a player’s league. We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and to perfect our craft.

"Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step that strengthens the competition, tests us more fully, and if the growing galleries from last season are any indication, delivers more of what the fans want."

Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau echoed Rahm's sentiments: "Everyone wants to see the best players in the world competing against each other, especially in the majors, and for the good of the game, we need a path forward.

"By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognized globally. 

"This is a fantastic evolution of the LIV Golf product, showing how our League listens and adapts to create the best possible experience."

Dustin Johnson, who has signed a contract extension with 4Aces GC, was equally buoyant by the update: "I think it’s a great move for the League and I’m excited for it. 

"Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing. 

"I’ve always liked the grind of four rounds – it gives the best players a chance to rise to the top.

"LIV Golf has been a great experience from the start, and I think this makes it even better for the fans and for us out there competing."

In 2026, LIV Golf’s global schedule will expand to 10 countries across five continents.

With events already staged in the Middle East, Europe, Australasia, and North America - and now extending to Africa - the LIV Golf League continues to deliver on its mission to bring elite competition and world-class fan experiences to audiences around the globe. 

The optimism of Garcia and other players reflects the mood across LIV's expanding roster — adding a belief this latest evolution could finally deliver the legitimacy its players and fans have been chasing for some time. 

For a league that’s spent the past four years fighting for recognition, the move to 72 holes isn’t just about adding a fourth round — it’s about proving it belongs on the same stage as the tours that define the world ranking system.

Garcia put it best when he said the change is "going to give our fans one more day to enjoy watching us." But beyond that, this latest update gives LIV Golf something even bigger: another chance to be seen, measured, and ranked alongside the rest of the golf world. 

For now, the players are ready. The format is ready. The fans are ready. Over to you, OWGR...