“We have the fluidity to make changes” - When Phil Mickelson addressed the ‘non-pressing need’ for LIV to switch to 72 holes

Phil Mickelson has always been the spokesperson and somewhat of an ambassador for the LIV Golf league since the breakaway league’s inception in 2022. Recently, the PIF-funded league decided to switch to a 72-hole format from 2026, which was consistent with Mickelson's 2023 statement on LIV Golf switching to such a format.

In 2023, Phil Mickelson shared that LIV Golf would do anything to be recognized by the OWGR. Especially if they needed to switch to 72 holes to get OWGR points, he mentioned they have the flexibility to do that. However, back then, it wasn't an urgent need. Phil Mickelson predicted the LIV’s future decisions in the past, saying (via Golf Monthly):

“When we see something that can be better, we have the fluidity to make the change and make it better. there's a lot of specifics that we could look at and say, gosh, do we need to go to 72 holes to get World Ranking points or what do we need to do to be the best product but really it comes down to we provide the best product to fans, to sponsors. Those are things we can talk about and again we have the fluidity to make changes if it's in the best interests of the players or the league or for the fans or for the sponsors.” “I don't feel that that's a pressing need right now, otherwise it would have been changed…again, great thing about this league is its fluidity and its ability to adapt and make changes and do things quickly to make things better…there's an opportunity with the team dynamic that LIV Golf could have a match play scenario.”

In 2026, the LIV Golf tournaments will be played over four days with 54 golfers, with 52 in 13 groups and two wild card entries. The first LIV Golf tournament in the 2026 schedule is LIV Golf Riyadh, which will take place at the Riyadh Golf Club from February 5 to 7.

---

How did Phil Mickelson perform in his last five LIV Golf starts?

Phil Mickelson appeared at LIV Golf Michigan, wherein his team, HyFlyers GC, finished in fifth place with 14 under in total. Mickelson scored 68 for his team with one birdie on the front nine and two birdies on the back nine.

Before that, Mickelson played at LIV Golf Indianapolis, where he finished at T40 after scoring 6 under. He scored 67 in the opening round with five birdies, followed by 72 in the next round with two birdies, and 68 in the third round with six birdies.

Phil Mickelson’s third-to-last tournament was LIV Golf Chicago, where he finished at T25 with a score of 1 under. He shot 68 with five birdies in total, followed by 71 in the next round with four birdies and 73 in the third round with three birdies.

Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar