Lee Westwood Responds to Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf Format Change
Tensions remain between some former Ryder Cup teammates as LIV Golf announced a major format change starting in 2026. LIV will expand its tournaments to 72 holes, aligning more with traditional major championships.
Rory McIlroy’s Criticism of LIV’s Expansion
On Wednesday, Rory McIlroy described LIV’s move as "peculiar" and questioned whether it would help the Saudi-backed league secure Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status.
Westwood’s Reaction to McIlroy’s Comments
Lee Westwood, another former Ryder Cup player, addressed McIlroy’s remarks during the talkSPORT Breakfast Show. He was dismissive of McIlroy’s criticism and suggested his opinion might change soon.
“I don’t pay too much attention to what Rory says. He’ll change his mind for next week.”
Westwood also explained the reasons behind LIV’s format change:
- Some players found playing only 54 holes disadvantaged those focusing on major championships.
- Moving to 72 holes better matches the major championship style.
- World ranking points remain an important factor for LIV, though it is unclear if the new format meets OWGR criteria.
“I think [OWGR points] is one of the angles behind it. Some of the guys focused their whole season around the major championships and playing 54 holes was putting them at a bit of a disadvantage.”
Summary
LIV Golf’s shift to 72-hole tournaments aims to mirror major championship formats and improve world ranking recognition despite existing rivalries and criticism from players like McIlroy.
Author's summary: Lee Westwood defends LIV Golf’s format change against Rory McIlroy’s critique, highlighting the move’s logic for ranking points and major-style competition.
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