LIV Golf captain criticises format change and gives opinion on Brooks Koepka's exit

Former Masters champion Bubba Watson has outlined his displeasure at LIV Golf's decision to change format and offered his support to Brooks Koepka after the American was reinstated to the PGA Tour. 

LIV confirmed last November they have decided to abandon one of their founding principles for the 2026 campaign. 

Beginning at their curtain-raiser next month in Riyadh, all LIV Golf events apart from the team championship will be contested over 72 holes. 

It was understood the switch was made to help LIV Golf's bid to get recognised by the sport's global rankings body. 

The PIF-backed league renewed their application for OWGR accreditation before The Masters last April and are yet to hear back. 

LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil recently claimed the league will finally get an answer before their season begins. 

OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman stressed progress was being made in his most recent update. 

But Watson, 47, believes the rival league have made a mistake and sounded off on the subject in an interview with The Mirror US. 

"No," he said when asked if he was in favour of the change. "I think we should go three days. And there's a reason why. 

"I think that [in] the sprint [format], everybody stays together. 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? 

"And when everybody's close battling, it puts more people in the mix on a Sunday or the last round on a Saturday, whichever tournament you're at. 

"And so that just makes it better for the fans when there's chaos happening."

Watch here:

LIV Golf announced on 4 November they were switching to a 72-hole format and align themselves with golf's established tours. 

Jon Rahm, LIV Golf's marquee signing in December 2023, openly criticised the format before his Masters defence. 

Rahm said playing over four days instead of three would undoubtedly help their pursuit for world ranking points and also sharpen LIV players' games around the major championships. 

The Spaniard has also stressed his desire for LIV to play a links golf course every July to help their preparations for The Open Championship. 

"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," Rahm previously said. 

Bubba Watson gives opinion on Brooks Koepka exit

Bubba Watson also offered his opinion on Brooks Koepka's decision to quit LIV Golf despite having 12 months left on his reported $100m contract. 

LIV announced on 23 December 2025 that Koepka was leaving and he has already been reinstated the PGA Tour under a new scheme. 

The "returning members programme" has also left the door ajar for Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and the aforementioned Rahm to return if they want to. 

All three golfers say they are content and won't be going anywhere anytime soon. 

Watson said Koepka's decision is "not going to dictate what the league is doing".  

"The beauty is, though, now he gets to spend more time with his family, that's what he wants.  

"And so that’s good, that’s great for him. As a friend, I hope he has a great time. 

"It's great that he's still playing professional golf. LIV has always been about pathways to play other tours, so it's great."

Next month, Watson will embark on his fourth full season with LIV. 

Two years ago, he finished in the relegation zone but was exempt from the boot because he made a "business case" to return to the RangeGoats.

Watson enjoyed a much better season in 2025, finishing 11th in their individual standings. 

Going forward, Watson said his goal is to win on LIV. 

"I haven't lifted an individual trophy on LIV," he said. 

"I would love to lift a championship trophy for a team on LIV. That'd be another notch on the belt."