Report: LIV Golf execs ponder another major format overhaul if league survives in 2027
LIV Golf could scrap the shotgun start part of their format, according to a report.
Shotgun starts may be a thing of the past if LIV Golf survives, according to a report.
The shotgun start has been a distinctive part of the breakaway tour's model since its launch in June 2022.
It sees all players in the field begin their rounds at the same time, starting on different holes.
Along with LIV's original 54-hole format, it was designed to speed up play and create a more television-friendly product.
Golf, but louder, we were told.
But Bob Harig of The Daily Drive has insinuated that, after talking to league sources, shotgun starts may not be part of LIV's business plan that is currently being pitched to potential investors.
LIV is currently trying to raise some $300m to survive in 2027 after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced in April it was no longer willing to finance the venture after the end of the season.
According Harig's report, LIV's TV production budget in 2025 was approximately $85-90m across their 14-event schedule.
At $6m per event, it is roughly double what it costs to produce a PGA Tour event.
And it may be the case that shotgun starts will be scrapped as part of the cost-cutting measures.
According to sources familiar with how LIV operates, its budget for TV production last year was in the neighbourhood of $85 to $90m for the 14-event schedule, which doesn't include the salaries of the on-air talent.
That works out to approximately $6m per event, or roughly double what it costs to produce a PGA Tour event. And the PGA Tour has media rights deals and sponsorship arrangements that help the various networks cover those costs.
LIV, of course, is doing all this on its own and without the robust TV rights and sponsorship fees to cover the costs.
Although the league has reported year-over-year increases in both areas and has seen positive response in a handful of its international markets, such gains were viewed in the bigger picture of the Saudi Arabia benefactor.
Should this come to pass, it would not be the first major format overhaul for the LIV Golf League.
Last November, LIV announced they abandoning their 54-hole format and extending its tournaments to 72 holes.
The unconventional format played a role in LIV players being denied Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
After the change, the OWGR gave LIV the green light, but only the top 10 finishes in their events were awarded points.
Rumours about LIV abandoning their shotgun start come amid reports they may struggle to receive the required funding from the PIF to finish their 2026 season.
The Financial Times have reported the PIF have only injected a third of the $600m it pledged to finance LIV for the remainder of the season.
PIF told the FT they remain committed to funding LIV only for the remainder of the 2026 season.
It's understood LIV Golf UK and LIV Golf New York will go ahead as planned, but there is less optimism about the staging of their events in Michigan and Indianapolis.
LIV Golf's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, was asked on CNBC whether he was concerned PIF would not fund the remainder of the campaign.
O'Neil said the PIF were "terrific partners" and he would take them at their word.
Yet he declined to guarantee all remaining tour events this year would take place.
"What I can guarantee is a heck of a return if you invest in this business," he said.
Ben Smith joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
