UPDATE: LIV Golf’s announcement of a new 72-hole format starting in 2026 has ignited urgent discussions within the professional golf community. Ryder Cup veteran Paul McGinley has declared LIV Golf a “legitimate threat” to both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, highlighting significant changes in the competitive landscape.
McGinley, who led Team Europe to victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup, expressed his concerns during a recent interview with Bunkered. He pointed out that the current format of LIV Golf, which allows 54 players to compete and share points, undermines the depth of talent found on the PGA Tour. “There’s obviously two or three elite players on there that seem to be coming in the top three every single week,” he noted, emphasizing that they would struggle to maintain similar standings on the more competitive PGA Tour.
The implications of LIV’s new format are profound. McGinley warned that “there will have to be an algorithm and a formula” to assess the true value of points in LIV events compared to those on the PGA Tour. He anticipates that fewer points will be awarded for LIV tournaments due to the weaker field depth. Despite this, he acknowledged that opportunities for players to qualify for major championships are expanding.
Recent developments illustrate this trend. Northern Irish golfer Tom McKibbin secured victory at the Hong Kong Open, earning him a spot in the 2026 Masters and US Open. McGinley noted, “The writing’s on the wall that it’s going to be a matter of time before LIV do get points,” indicating that as qualification pathways grow, so does LIV’s stature.
The former Ryder Cup champion also commented on the DP World Tour’s strategic alliance with the PGA Tour, calling it a “safe bet” amidst the growing allure of LIV Golf. This partnership aims to protect players who have not transitioned to LIV, ensuring they have a viable future in the sport. “They gave a phenomenal financial deal to the DP World Tour,” McGinley added, highlighting the strategic importance of this alliance.
As major qualification routes continue to evolve and LIV Golf’s 72-hole format takes effect, the organization is on the brink of potentially earning the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points it has sought since its inception in 2022.
McGinley’s insights underscore the urgency with which traditional tours must respond to the emerging landscape. With financial incentives on the table and an evolving competitive environment, LIV Golf is reshaping the future of professional golf.
This situation is developing rapidly, and all eyes will be on how the PGA and DP World Tours adapt to retain their players and prestige. As McGinley concludes, “I think LIV is a legit competitor to the two established tours at the moment.”
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
