LIV Golf events will now be contested for 72 holes! As big as the change is, it didn’t come as a major surprise considering how hard they were pushing for OWGR to sanction them over the past four years. Scott O’Neil must have always known that they would eventually need to make the change. So he did it as soon as he could implement it, right after completing his first full season with LIV Golf. That left Rory McIlroy surprised as he thought LIV Golf didn’t need to make the change. But Lee Westwood believes the Irishman would change his mind in the near future.

The Englishman joined the talkSPORT Breakfast Show on Thursday to discuss the changes made by LIV Golf. There, he was asked about his opinion regarding Rory McIlroy’s comments. Westwood told the host, “I don’t know. I don’t pay too much attention to what Rory says, really. He’ll change his mind for next week.” Seems like the English veteran doesn’t pay heed to McIlroy’s comments. Then again, Rors is known for speaking his mind rather than anticipating his change in perception.

But the Grand Slam champion still showed more faith in the 54-hole format of LIV Golf than some of the league’s players. He said, “I think it’s a peculiar move because I think they could have got ranking points with three rounds. I don’t think three rounds versus four rounds is what was holding them back. Yeah, I don’t — it certainly puts them more in line with traditional golf tournaments than what we’ve all done.”

Interestingly, a few other LIV Golf pros also thought that the new format would be great for LIV Golf. Want to know who they were? Let’s find out.

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Other LIV Golf pros who also disagree with Rory McIlroy

Speaking of the new format, Lee Westwood believed that LIV Golf will benefit from shifting to 72 holes. “I think it was good for the players, good for the sponsors. And good for the fans more than anything. They get to see another day’s golf. I think [OWGR points] is one of the angles behind it. I think there were a few different things.” With many of the pros coming to the end of their contract, OWGR will certainly encourage them to re-sign with LIV Golf and continue with the league.

Being one of the few who had signed in favor of the 72-hole change, Tyrrell Hatton also spoke in favor of the format. He said, “I think it’s a good thing that LIV have moved to four rounds. I guess that’s changed quite a bit in the last year, and certainly from my standpoint, I’m quite happy that we’ve moved to 72 holes.” Having joined LIV Golf in 2024, he was eager to continue battling for his status in the world golf rankings. So was his Legion XIII teammate, Jon Rahm, who also had positive things to say about the changes. However, Phil Mickelson expressed that he was still unsure about it. Seems that there are quite a few mixed reactions regarding the new LIV Golf format.