Bubba Watson criticizes LIV’s big format change for 2026

Heading into the 2026 LIV Golf season, Bubba Watson is focused on getting his first LIV win. But the two-time Masters champion is also worried about the major changes the league is bringing in the new year.

In a new interview, Watson criticized LIV’s decision to dramatically change its tournament format to 72 holes, giving defense of the 54-hole format and opening to Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour comeback.

Bubba’s 54-hole defense: ‘It’s better for the fans if there’s chaos’

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

While it was shocking to see the league abandon one of its defining features, represented by the league’s name, there was a very good reason for it: The Official World Golf Ranking.

Since its inception, LIV has failed to gain recognition from the OWGR. Because of this, most of their players have dropped in the world level and, more importantly, they have struggled to qualify for major tournaments.

LIV’s 54-hole format was one of the sticking points that kept LIV from gaining OWGR recognition.

But in a recent interview with Sam Frost’s Mirror US Sports, Watson said his disagreements were public with the format change.

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

“Um, no,” Watson began.

But he supported his opinion with a detailed discussion. First, he criticized 72-hole tournaments, saying that more holes lead to more runaway winners and closer action.

“I think we should go three days. And there’s a reason why. I think with a sprint, everybody stays together. If you go four days you’ll have some leaders spread out, and it just takes away from your last lap, right?” Watson argued.

He continued, explaining his belief that 54-hole tournaments lead to tighter tournaments and invite more “chaos” into the program, and that’s exactly what golf fans are hungry for.

“When everyone is fighting close, it puts more people in the conversation on Sunday or the final round on Saturday, whatever the tournament is, and that makes it better for the fans when there’s chaos,” 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 getting OWGR recognition soon, and the format change is a big reason why.

Watson opens Koepka’s PGA Tour return

Watson’s brief interview with Mirror US Sports did more than just change the LIV format. It also touched on last week’s big golf news: Koepka’s decision to leave LIV and the PGA Tour’s decision to allow Koepka to return (albeit with stiff financial penalties).

The way Watson sees it, Koepka’s departure does not threaten the future of LIV Golf.

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

But he also spoke highly of Koepka, saying he was happy to be a five-time major champion and happy that Koepka was able to choose a professional golf path that was right for him and his family.

“But it’s beautiful now [Koepka] he gets to spend more time with his family, that’s what he wants. And so that’s good, that’s good for him. As a friend, I hope you have a good time. It’s great that you are still playing professional golf. “LIV has always been about ways to play other courses, so that’s great,” Watson said.

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

“I want to win at LIV. I haven’t lifted the individual trophy at LIV yet… I’d like to lift the championship trophy for the team at LIV. That would be another notch on the belt.”

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