Bubba Watson Threatens to Quit LIV Golf Over Shocking 72-Hole Switch: “This Isn’t What We Signed Up For”

Miami, Florida – January 22, 2026

Bubba Watson, the two-time Masters champion and one of LIV Golf’s most recognizable faces, has dropped a bombshell that could reshape the fragile future of the Saudi-backed league. In a candid, hour-long interview with Golf Channel that aired late Tuesday night, Watson publicly threatened to leave LIV Golf immediately if the organization follows through with its rumored decision to abandon its signature 54-hole format and shift to a traditional 72-hole structure.

“I didn’t come to LIV to play the same old game,” Watson said, his voice steady but edged with frustration. “We were sold on something different—shorter, faster, more exciting tournaments that respect the players’ time and bodies. If they go to 72 holes, that’s not LIV anymore. That’s just another PGA Tour with better money. I’ll walk. And I won’t be the only one.”

The comments sent immediate shockwaves through the golf world. Watson’s threat is not idle: as a two-time major winner with a lifetime exemption into the Masters and strong ties to the PGA Tour’s past, he is one of the few LIV players who could seamlessly return to the traditional circuit or even pursue a hybrid path without losing major eligibility. His potential exit would be far more damaging than the departures of Brooks Koepka or Bryson DeChambeau, both of whom cited personal reasons rather than structural opposition.

Why the Format Change Matters So Much

LIV Golf launched in 2022 with a revolutionary pitch: 54-hole tournaments (no cut), shotgun starts, team competition, big-money purses, and a streamlined schedule designed to appeal to both players and younger audiences. The 54-hole format was the cornerstone of its identity—a deliberate rejection of the PGA Tour’s grueling 72-hole, four-day grind. It promised less wear and tear on players’ bodies, more family time, and a fresh, entertainment-first product.

Now, multiple sources close to LIV confirm that senior executives are seriously considering a full switch to 72 holes starting in 2027. The primary motivation? Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition.

Without OWGR points, LIV players are effectively barred from qualifying for the four men’s majors through normal channels. While major champions like Watson, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson retain lifetime exemptions into the Masters, most LIV players must rely on special invites or world ranking performance from other tours. The OWGR board has repeatedly rejected LIV’s applications for points, citing concerns over field strength, competition integrity, and the 54-hole format itself.

Switching to 72 holes would align LIV with OWGR criteria and potentially unlock ranking points, allowing players to earn their way back into majors organically. But for Watson and other early LIV defectors, the move feels like a betrayal.

“This was never about OWGR for me,” Watson continued in the interview. “I came here because I believed in the vision. Shorter events, more innovation, less exhaustion. If we become just another 72-hole tour, what was the point of leaving the PGA Tour in the first place? I’m not interested in playing the same game with a different logo.”

Growing Discontent Among LIV’s Star Players

Watson’s public stance is not isolated. Brooks Koepka, who left LIV in late 2025 citing “personal reasons” despite a reported $130 million contract, has remained silent on the format change—but insiders say he was deeply frustrated with the league’s direction even before his departure. Bryson DeChambeau, still with LIV, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction in recent podcasts, saying the current product “lacks the competitive edge we were promised.”

Other players are reportedly holding quiet meetings. Phil Mickelson, a founding figure of LIV, has not commented publicly, but sources close to him say he is “deeply conflicted.” Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, both major champions, are said to be weighing their options as well.

The player unrest comes at a precarious time for LIV. Financial reports leaked earlier this month revealed cumulative losses exceeding $1.1 billion since inception, despite massive Saudi Public Investment Fund backing. Broadcast deals remain weak—LIV’s U.S. television rights are limited to The CW and streaming platforms, drawing a fraction of the PGA Tour’s ESPN/NBC/CBS audience. Viewership has stagnated, with many events failing to crack 500,000 average viewers in key markets.

The OWGR Dilemma: Legitimacy vs. Identity

The push for 72 holes is widely seen as LIV’s last-ditch effort to gain OWGR recognition. The Official World Golf Ranking board, controlled by representatives from the four majors, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and other stakeholders, has maintained that LIV’s 54-hole, no-cut format does not meet minimum standards for ranking inclusion. A switch to 72 holes, with cuts and traditional stroke play, could satisfy those requirements.

But the price may be too high.

“If LIV becomes just another PGA Tour clone, it loses everything that made it different,” said golf analyst Brandel Chamblee on Golf Channel. “The 54-hole format was the one thing that genuinely set it apart. Without that, why would players stay? Why would fans care?”

Critics argue the change is a tacit admission that LIV’s original model was unsustainable. Supporters counter that OWGR points are essential for long-term player retention and major access—without them, LIV risks becoming a glorified exhibition tour.

Watson’s Legacy and the Bigger Picture

Bubba Watson, at 47, is no longer competing for world rankings or major exemptions. His two Masters victories (2012, 2014) ensure lifetime entry into Augusta, and his LIV contract—reportedly worth over $100 million—is guaranteed regardless of performance. He doesn’t need LIV for financial or competitive reasons. That independence makes his threat credible—and devastating.

If Watson walks, it could trigger a domino effect. Players who joined LIV for the money but stayed for the format would suddenly face a stark choice: accept a more traditional (and physically demanding) schedule or follow Watson out the door.

The PGA Tour, meanwhile, watches with interest. Commissioner Jay Monahan has remained silent on the LIV format rumors, but a mass exodus from LIV would strengthen the Tour’s negotiating position in any future reconciliation talks.

As the 2026 LIV season approaches, the league stands at a crossroads. Retain the 54-hole identity and risk permanent OWGR exclusion, or adopt 72 holes and risk losing the very players who gave it credibility.

Bubba Watson has drawn a line in the sand.

The question now is whether LIV’s leadership will cross it—or whether Watson will make good on his promise to walk.

And if he does, how many others will follow?

The future of professional golf has rarely felt more uncertain.