Bubba Watson criticizes major changes to the LIV format for 2026

Heading into the 2026 LIV Golf season, Bubba Watson is focused on capturing his first LIV victory. But the two-time Masters champion is also concerned about a big change the league is making for the new year.

In a new interview, Watson criticized LIV’s decision to drastically change the tournament format to 72 holes, provide a defense for the 54-hole format and open up for Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour return.

Bubba’s 54-hole defense: ‘Better for the fans when there’s chaos’

In November, LIV Golf made the surprise announcement that they would be changing all of their tournaments from 54 holes to 72 holes.

While it was a shock to see the league abandon one of its defining characteristics, one reflected even in the league’s name, there was a very good reason for it: the official World Golf Ranking.

Since its inception, LIV has not received recognition from the OWGR. As a result, most players have fallen in the world rankings and, most importantly, struggled to qualify for major championships.

LIV’s 54-hole format was one of the bottlenecks that kept LIV from earning OWGR recognition.

But at one recent interview with Sam Frost of Mirror US SportsWatson stated that he publicly disagreed with the format change.

When asked if he supported LIV’s move to 72 holes, Watson made his opinion as clear as possible.

“Uh, no,” Watson began.

But he supported his opinion with detailed reasoning. First, he criticized 72-hole tournaments, arguing that more holes lead to more runaway winners and less close action.

“I think we should go three days. And there’s a reason for that. I think in the sprint everyone stays together. If you go four days you’re going to have some more spread out leaders, and that just takes away from your last lap, right?” Watson argued.

He continued, explaining his belief that 54-hole tournaments result in tighter competition and more “chaos” in the running of the tournament, which is exactly what golf fans are hungry for.

“If everyone is close-combat, more people get into the mix on Sunday or the final round on Saturday, whatever tournament you’re playing, and that just makes it better for the fans when chaos ensues,” Watson said.

Watson’s position differs from that of LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. Last week, O’Neil spoke confidently about LIV’s chances of securing OWGR recognition soon, and the format change is a key reason for that.

Watson opens Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour

Watsons short interview with the Mirror US Sports did not only relate to the format change of LIV. It also covered the biggest golf news of the past week: Koepka’s decision to leave LIV and the PGA Tour’s decision to let Koepka return (albeit with steep financial penalties).

In Watson’s eyes, Koepka’s departure is in no way a threat to the future of LIV Golf.

“The league is in a great place,” Watson said. “One person is not going to dictate what the league does.”

But he also spoke positively about Koepka, revealing that he is both happy for the five-time major champion and happy that Koepka was able to choose the professional golf path that best suits him and his family.

“The good thing is now, though [Koepka] can 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 ways to play other tours, so it’s great,” said Watson.

As for his own goals for 2026, 72 holes or not, Watson’s focus is simple. He wants to finally hoist his first career individual LIV trophy and win a championship for his RangeGoats team.

“I want to win at LIV. I haven’t won an individual trophy at LIV yet… I would like to win a championship trophy for a team at LIV. That would be another step up.”

The 2026 LIV Golf season kicks off in the first week of February with the LIV Golf Riyadh event in Saudi Arabia.