A move that seemed unthinkable just a year ago has suddenly redrawn the competitive lines between rival tours. LIV Golf is moving from a 54-hole format to a 72-hole format. This decision from LIV Golf has left both critics and supporters wondering what game they’re really playing. Jay Monahan and Brian Rolapp might have thought that the fight for golf’s future had cooled down. But this fresh twist suggests the battle is far from over.

Andy Johnson, Brendan Porath, and PJ Clark were discussing LIV’s new move to shift to a 72-hole format on their podcast. According to them, this is not a big deal. However, it does mean increasing competition for Monahan, Rolapp, and the PGA Tour. “I will just say that I would not rule out; you’d never rule out a competitor with deep pockets ever. And in a way, Liv doing this is going to make them more attractive to more players because they see a pathway to majors, and I would just hesitate to anybody dancing on the grave saying they’re dead,” said Andy Johnson of the Fried Egg Golf podcast.

These comments come after LIV’s decision to switch to a 72-hole format. Many believe this move aligns with other strategic tactics to help LIV obtain eligible tour status with the OWGR. In 2023, the OWGR rejected LIV’s application. Some of the major reasons cited were LIV’s closed nature, lack of opportunities for other golfers to enter the league, and its format, which made ranking golfers on equal grounds challenging. Jay Monahan would certainly have been happy with the decision because it would have reduced LIV’s attractiveness.

To overcome these challenges, LIV’s new CEO, Scott O’Neil, has increased the number of spots earned through various competitions after reapplying. For instance, the top two on Asia’s Order of Merit will get spots, and two from LIV’s promotional event will get spots on the roster. And after increasing the number of spots available for outsiders, LIV is now moving to a 72-hole format to make it even more relevant. Many LIV golfers, including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Jon Rahm, have supported this move. If LIV does receive the OWGR’s approval, it will become more attractive to golfers, posing a severe threat to Jay Monahan and Brian Rolapp.

However, even if LIV does not get approval, they have deep pockets to continue its run, as highlighted by Andy Johnson and Brendan Porath. “I would just suggest that this war is not over until they fold up shop, which you know they’ve got enough money to never fold up shop,” said Andy Johnson. Replying to him, Porath said, “It is somewhat amusing they spent $5 billion to get to a 72-hole.”

Porath is referring to the losses LIV has incurred since its inception. The league has reportedly incurred losses of $5 billion to date. It has attracted golfers with high contract money. Jon Rahm reportedly got a $500 million contract. However, LIV is changing its approach to attract golfers, as it no longer plans to offer such contracts. Regardless of whether LIV is doing all this to secure OWGR approval or just to push a deal through, this poses huge problems for Jay Monahan and Brian Rolapp.

Monahan and Rolapp are also playing their tricks to improve the PGA Tour’s position and increase fan engagement.

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Brian Rolapp and Jay Monahan’s strategic moves

Jay Monahan has acknowledged challenges in the Tour’s rollout. He is working on bringing greater ownership to athletes and new investment partners to elevate the Tour’s business and brand. However, Monahan will step down as the PGA Tour commissioner in 2026.

Brian Rolapp is aggressively focusing on improving virtually every aspect of the Tour for fans, players, and partners. He formed a Future Competition Committee, chaired by Tiger Woods. It includes prominent players and investors who look holistically at competitive models, media products, sponsorships, and overall sport evolution. He even decided to reform the PGA Tour’s executive team. The new CEO brought Dhruv Prasad and Paul Hicks to the table. They are taking the place of longtime Tour veterans Rick Anderson and Allison Keller.

LIV Golf’s shift to a 72-hole format signals that its rivalry with the PGA Tour is far from finished. As both sides refine their strategies, the fight for golf’s future looks set to intensify rather than fade.