“We’re very open-minded” – When ex-LIV CEO Greg Norman commented on the ‘economic impact’ of LIV switching to 72 holes

Greg Norman has opened up about the LIV Golf 54-hole format. The Saudi-funded league started in 2022 with its first season, and it has been played on 54 holes, unlike the regular golf events on most tours that are played on 72 holes.

Last year in April, while attending the LIV Golf Adelaide event, Norman, who was the CEO of the series back then, was asked by the media about switching the series to a 72-hole format. In response, he talked about the cost of putting it on television.

"I think from LIV’s perspective, we’re very open-minded about [moving to 72 holes],” he said (via Golf.com). “But you’ve got to understand there’s economic impact about putting television on for 72 holes.”

He further added:

“It’s a great conversation to have. We will continue to have that conversation going forward. But we sit back and say, what value do we get on putting on television on Thursday? Now, how do we build out in the future? How do we get more people to the golf course? Maybe it is Thursday and you allow another 30,000 people coming in on a Thursday.”

The LIV Golf events do not have any cutline. Although they are played in stroke format, they feature a limited field.

However, the players struggled to gain points in the Official World Golf Ranking because of its format. They applied for the ranking points in the initial days when the series was started, but their application was turned down. Earlier this year, they reapplied for it.

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When Greg Norman opened up about the LIV Golf's 54-hole format

Last year, Greg Norman also reflected on the 54-hole format of LIV Golf. He said that the three-round event brings speed and competition among the players. He said (via Golf.com):

"Sometimes you can have an average first round and then you come back and shoot a 64 and get yourself back into it, now you’re into the weekend. If you really don’t play well on Friday here, you have a hard time because the quality of play here is so high. "It’s a question you should ask [the players]. It is intense pressure on it straight away because you have to perform immediately right off the bat," he added.

The regular PGA Tour events take place over four days, while LIV Golf events are held only for three days. The officials have not made changes to its format since the series started; however, the number of tournaments has increased from eight in the first season to 14 in 2025.

Greg Norman has since stepped down from his position. He was with the league since its beginning, but was replaced by Scott O’Neil ahead of the 2025 season.

Edited by Ankita Yadav