LIV Golf backtracks from short format to 72-hole tournaments after pressure from players
LIV Golf has surprisingly backtracked on one of its founding principles by announcing tournaments in the fourth season of the Saudi Arabian-backed league will be played over 72 holes,Until now, LIV has proudly operated over 54 holes and three days, with the name itself partly based on a Roman numeral reference point,Could a rebrand to LXXII be imminent?The dramatic shift, which is believed to have come after pressure from players, means LIV will soon mirror the schedule traditional golf tours it once tried to upstage,LIV will, however, continue to run both individual and team competition elements,“The most successful leagues around the world – IPL, EPL [English Premier League], NBA, MLB, NFL – continue to innovate and evolve their product,” said Scott O’Neil, LIV’s chief executive.
“And as an emerging league, we are no different.LIV Golf will always have an eye towards progress that acts in the best interest of LIV Golf and in the best interest of the sport.”A LIV statement added: “For each regular season event, the individual competition will be decided over 72 holes of stroke play, while the team competition will continue to run concurrently, with each team’s cumulative individual stroke play scores determining the team’s result.”The degree of “innovation” to which O’Neil refers will raise eyebrows given four days and 72 holes had been the model in golf’s existing ecosystem before LIV blasted onto the scene, coaxing household names with exorbitant contracts.It is understood some players in the LIV environment felt under-prepared for major championships due to the abbreviated nature of their standard playing domain.
Umpteen players own equity in LIV teams,Golf’s official world-ranking system has also failed to recognise LIV, a matter which may change under the 72-hole model,“LIV Golf is a player’s league,” said the two-time major winner Jon Rahm,“We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and to perfect our craft,Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step that strengthens the competition, tests us more fully, and if the growing galleries from last season are any indication, delivers more of what the fans want.
”Dustin Johnson added: “Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing.” Johnson, also a double major winner, has not finished in the top 10 in one of the big four events since 2023.All of this presents something of a public relations quandary.O’Neil’s predecessor, Greg Norman, explained two years ago why LIV had been given that precise name.The Australian said: “It is the Roman numeral for 54, which has two meanings: 54 is the lowest score you could shoot if you were to birdie every hole on a par 72 course, so there is an aspirational aspect to the thinking.
It is also the number of holes to be played in each event.”Sign up to The RecapThe best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s actionafter newsletter promotionThose relegated from LIV at the end of its 2025 campaign included the former Open champion Henrik Stenson.
NFL great Tom Brady says his dog is a clone of family’s deceased pit bull mix
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady said Tuesday that his dog, Junie, is a clone of his family’s late pet Lua, created by Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotechnology company that Brady has invested in.The Birmingham City co-owner revealed the news in a statement released through Colossal, which also announced its acquisition of another cloning company, Viagen Pets and Equine. The two firms plan to combine their technologies to expand cloning services for pet owners and conservation projects.“I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family,” Brady said
NFL trade deadline: Jets trade away All-Pros Gardner and Williams in franchise teardown
The Indianapolis Colts have acquired two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets in a stunning trade ahead of Tuesday’s NFL deadline, according to multiple reports.In exchange, the Colts will send two first-round picks to New York, marking one of the most significant deals of the season. Gardner, the No 4 overall pick in the 2022 draft, has quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders, earning All-Pro honors in each of his first two years.“New York it’s been real,” Gardner posted with a green heart emoji on X.New York it's been real💚The move comes just months after Gardner signed a four-year, $120
LIV Golf backtracks from short format to 72-hole tournaments after pressure from players
LIV Golf has surprisingly backtracked on one of its founding principles by announcing tournaments in the fourth season of the Saudi Arabian-backed league will be played over 72 holes. Until now, LIV has proudly operated over 54 holes and three days, with the name itself partly based on a Roman numeral reference point. Could a rebrand to LXXII be imminent?The dramatic shift, which is believed to have come after pressure from players, means LIV will soon mirror the schedule traditional golf tours it once tried to upstage. LIV will, however, continue to run both individual and team competition elements.“The most successful leagues around the world – IPL, EPL [English Premier League], NBA, MLB, NFL – continue to innovate and evolve their product,” said Scott O’Neil, LIV’s chief executive
Roebuck and Steward injuries likely to trigger major England reshuffle against Fiji
Injuries to Tom Roebuck and Freddie Steward look likely to trigger an eye-catching reshuffle in England’s backline for the Test against Fiji on Saturday. Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell and Ollie Lawrence are all in contention to be involved, with Manny Feyi-Waboso potentially the solitary starting back-three survivor from the victory against Australia last Saturday.The head coach, Steve Borthwick, had been hoping to announce his starting XV early this week only for that plan to be mothballed when Roebuck limped out of training prematurely on Tuesday with an ankle problem. Steward has not trained so far this week after sustaining a finger injury late in the win against the Wallabies, opening the way for Smith to replace him at full-back.Roebuck was an influential figure against Australia, his aerial skills contributing to two of England’s four tries, but if he is ruled unavailable England are not short of options
WTA Finals tennis: Sabalenka fends off Pegula; Gauff beats ailing Paolini – as it happened
Defending champion Coco Gauff kept her hopes alive of reaching the knockout stages of the WTA Finals with victory over Jasmine Paolini.Defeat by fellow American Jessica Pegula in her opening group match in Riyadh had put Gauff in trouble but she eased to a 6-3, 6-2 win against Paolini.The Italian has been struggling with illness and again was unable to show her best level physically, with Gauff overcoming a wobble midway through the first set.The third seed said: “I’m really happy with how I played today, definitely a turnaround from my first match. It’s the beauty of this tournament, you have another chance to prove yourself
Ben Stokes signals 2027 Ashes readiness by signing new two-year central contract
Ben Stokes has signalled his desire to play in the 2027 Ashes at home after signing a new two-year central contract with England.Aged 34, and having sustained hamstring and shoulder injuries in the past 12 months, there was a school of thought that this winter’s Ashes – less than three weeks away – could be the Test captain’s swansong.But as the only Test specialist among the 14 players handed two-year deals on Tuesday – his last white-ball cap came at the 2023 Cricket World Cup – Stokes and England are clearly considering the home summer against Australia in 2027, when he will have just turned 36.There is also a 50-over World Cup in southern Africa in late 2027 and England have thus far been coy on whether Stokes is part of their plans. Joe Root very much is, however, and, six months older than Stokes, he has also signed a two-year deal that continues his stellar career
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