The fifth season of LIV Golf kicks off this week at Riyadh Golf Club, Saudi Arabia, amid significant player movements and a controversial format change to 72 holes starting in 2026. Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka have departed for the PGA Tour, while stars like Bryson DeChambeau express mixed feelings about the league's evolution. Absences of Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood due to personal reasons add to the pre-event buzz.
LIV Golf's Riyadh opener marks the beginning of its fifth season, but the event is overshadowed by recent high-profile exits and upcoming structural changes. Patrick Reed, fresh off a victory at the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, announced his departure from LIV just three days later. He cited a longing for the competitive intensity of traditional tours, telling ESPN, “After winning, I realized just how much I missed the grind and the dogfight; that’s who I am.” Reed plans to rejoin the PGA Tour after serving a suspension, eligible from August 25, 2026.
Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour via the new Returning Member Program also highlights a shifting landscape, as he finished tied for 56th at the recent Farmers Insurance Open. Remaining LIV players reacted pragmatically. Jon Rahm, staying with the league despite eligibility for the program, said in Riyadh, “We’re free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that’s how it should be.” His teammate Tyrrell Hatton acknowledged Reed's value, noting, “He’s an amazing player. If he was playing on LIV still, he makes the league stronger, but he’s chosen his path.”
The league's decision to extend events to 72 holes from 2026, aimed at securing Official World Golf Ranking points, has divided opinions. Bryson DeChambeau, committed for this season but uncertain beyond, told Today's Golfer, “We didn’t sign up to play for 72.” While Rahm called it “absolutely massive,” others like Paul Casey and Louis Oosthuizen prefer the original 54-hole format that inspired the league's name.
Roster adjustments for Riyadh include Phil Mickelson missing the first two events due to a family health matter, with Ollie Schniederjans filling in for HyFlyers GC. Lee Westwood, sidelined by a wrist injury, will be replaced by Ben Schmidt for Majesticks GC. Both are expected back for the Hong Kong event later this month. These developments underscore LIV's challenges in retaining talent as it seeks long-term viability.
