Rory McIlroy has branded LIV Golf’s decision to expand the event to 72 holes as “bizarre”.
Since its inception in 2022, the LIV Golf Tournament has been a 54-hole event, mostly played Friday through Sunday, an unconventional format that served to negate ranking points from the Official World Golf Ranking.
By moving to a four-day competition with events starting on the Thursday of tournament week, LIV Golf will be more in line with the setup of PGA Tour events.
McIlroy, a vocal critic of LIV Golf, was not satisfied with the decision.
“I think this is a strange move because I think they could have gotten ranking points with three rounds. I don’t think the third versus fourth round held them back,” he said.
“It will certainly be more of a traditional golf tournament than anything we’ve done in the past,” McIlroy continued. “It brings them back to not really being a disruptor, and in some ways it makes them more in line with what everyone else is doing.
“But if that’s what they felt they had to do to earn ranking points, I think that’s what they had to do.”
McIlroy questioned how many ranking points would be awarded at LIV Golf’s events, adding: “A lot of their players have already dropped down the rankings without getting points for a long time, so their field will be weak.”
“So we don’t know how much the ranking points will actually help them. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.”
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See the best shots from the 2025 Ryder Cup
The stakes are high for LIV’s star-studded roster, as world rankings play a key role in determining participation in golf’s four majors.
Due to a lack of ranking points, the LIV golf player has fallen down the rankings, with former World No. 1 Dustin Johnson currently ranked 604th in the OWGR.
“This is a victory for the league and the players,” said two-time major champion Jon Rahm, LIV Golf’s reigning individual champion and captain of the circuit’s Region XIII.
“LIV Golf is a league of players. We are competitors at heart and want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and perfect our craft.
“Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step to strengthen the competition, test us more completely and, if the gallery increase from last season is any indication, give our fans even more of what they want.”
Johnson added, “This is a great move for the league and I’m really looking forward to it. Playing 72 holes feels a little like the big tournaments we all used to play as kids. I always like the grind of the fourth round because it gives the best players a chance to rise to the top.”
“LIV Golf has been a great experience from the beginning, and I think this makes it even better for the fans and for those of us who compete.”
McIlroy apologizes from PGA of America over handling of Ryder Cup
McIlroy also told BBC Sport that he and his wife Erica had received an apology from the PGA of America for the way they were treated by spectators at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York in September.
“We received a nice email from Derek Sprague apologizing. Erica used to work with Derek at the PGA of America, so we know Derek and his wife well.
“He couldn’t have been more polite and apologetic and wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciate.
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McIlroy reflects on Team Europe’s victory in this year’s Ryder Cup and his own performance so far this year
“I take it as a compliment that they targeted me, but at the same time it was a tough week and we’re better as a team because of it.”
“It energized us and really put our arms around each other.
“Honestly, I was really happy to have Shane[Lowrie]next to me on Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon. He was like a big brother to me because I never went out on those two afternoons.
“He played unbelievable golf and kept us in the flow, and we got 1.5 points out of two games. For him to hole that putt was just the perfect way to end the week.”
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