LIV Golf: Talor Gooch concerned at rumours that circuit could adopt ‘arbitrary’ 72-hole format – ‘why not 108?’
- Reports during Masters claimed the Saudi-backed league could change its 54-hole three-day approach
- John Rahm in favour of suggestions to return to traditional format, with Phil Mickelson expecting change
Talor Gooch said he would not be in favour of LIV Golf moving to a traditional 72-hole format, calling the number “arbitrary” and questioning whether fans wanted it.
Among the myriad of rumours swirling around the state of the game during the Masters week, alongside claims linking Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland with a move to the Saudi-backed league, were suggestions the team circuit could change its 54-hole three-day approach.
LIV Golf’s format has been the subject of intense debate given it has yet to receive Official World Golf Ranking points, and CEO Greg Norman withdrew the league’s application to be recognised last month.
But for many, the tour’s attraction lies in what makes it different to others around the world, and Gooch, LIV’s 2023 individual champion, said he felt the shortened format made “each day more important and more exciting”.
“We need to focus on the fans,” the 32-year-old told reporters in a call ahead of next week’s event in Adelaide where he is defending champion. “How do we tailor a product and exciting event to the fans; and just my opinion through my experience of 54 holes, it just appears to be more exciting.”
However, Jon Rahm, who joined LIV at the start of the year, said he “definitely wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes”, while Phil Mickelson added that he “wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of LIV events went to 72”.
