LIV golf’s 2026 series is fast approaching with the maiden event of the year to be held at Riyadh Golf Club from 4th to 7th February in Saudi Arabia, which will see reigning champion Adrian Meronk look to defend his 2025 title.

The Cleeks Golf Club team member emerged victorious with a score of -17 last year to keep eventual overall champion Jon Rahm at bay by two shots. The Polish player exhibited good form across the LIV tour in 2025, producing two top 10 finishes to end the season on a high, though a successful defence will require a superb performance with an increasingly strong field eyeing dominant starts in 2026.

LIV Golf Introduces 72-Hole Format and Expanded 57-Man Field

Riyadh will be the first example of LIV’s new structure for their events, which adds additional depth of talent to the field. An increased roster of 57 players are now set to compete across four days, playing 72 holes instead of the usual 54 hole tournaments that were previously a staple of the tour.

Boasting a larger field means the opening encounter on the LIV circuit will become the largest professional night golf tournament ever hosted. The players participating will feature many returning fan favourites such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, as well as a first look at Brooks Kopeka’s high profile replacement, Thomas Detry.

Detry becomes the highest world ranked player to join the LIV tour since Jon Rahm in 2024. The world number 57 will be accommodated on the 4Aces team, as they aim to improve on their seventh place finish in the team event in 2025 and perhaps emulate their team winning glory from 2022.

Other new faces joining the 2026 tour will be Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji, who secured wildcard spots via the Asian Tour sanctioned International Series, LIV’s official feeder pathway. Further places for Richard T. Lee, Bjorn Hellgren and returning face Anthony Kim will be found due to their top three finish in the promotions event held at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida, which concluded on January 11th. It will be fascinating to see who can step up to rival the established powers of LIV golf.

Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau Lead Star-Studded Riyadh Field

Anybody hoping to challenge Jon Rahm for the individual crown is going to have their work cut out for them. The Spaniard is eyeing a third consecutive solo LIV tour victory and arrives in hot form after an impressive Ryder Cup, which saw him contribute three points in Team Europe’s historic away victory. Perhaps the only weakness in the 31 year old’s game is that his overall success in 2025 came without a solo victory in an individual event on the tour. Rahm will be keen to rid this hoodoo early in 2026 and will be one to watch in the opening exchanges.

Another headlining player eager to start quickly in Riyadh is big hitting American Bryson DeChambeau. The Crushers team captain lost out in both categories in 2025, finishing third in the individual rankings and second in the team event to Legion XIII, captained by Rahm.

So far, DeChambeau’s LIV career has been underwhelming compared to his PGA Tour major championship performances, with just three wins in 45 starts. In those majors over the last two seasons, the American has won the US Open, been second in the PGA Championship twice, been sixth and fifth in the Masters, and landed a top 10 in last year’s Open. He will be desperate to translate that success into LIV, especially if the altered structure allows him to gather more precious ranking points for those major events.

Official World Golf Ranking Points, Major Access and LIV Golf’s Future

These points are becoming an increasing source of tension on the tour as players participating risk losing out on qualification points to reach golf’s major tournaments. With several key figures reaching contract negotiation points, such as headline drawing DeChambeau, an alteration like this could prove pivotal to the long term success of the LIV project.

That sentiment of aligning more closely with the sport’s tradition, rather than identifying new locations and timezones, has been echoed by LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. Aware of his star assets’ concerns, the new 72 hole format in 2026 would potentially improve their ongoing bid for tournament wins to contribute to Official World Golf Ranking points.

Despite the apparent overhaul in LIV format, the 2026 edition appears set to continue its global attitude, including an expansive 14 event schedule that will include the debut of two new tournaments. These will feature LIV’s first visit to South Africa at The Club at Steyn City, as well as an event in New Orleans at Bayou Oaks.

With a star studded cast, continued dedication to the spectacular and a global mindset, LIV will aim to launch its 2026 campaign with a dramatic display of golfing showmanship in Riyadh. It will be fascinating to see who develops as the early front runners in golf’s high profile arena.

About LIV Golf Riyadh 2026

• LIV Golf 2026 begins at Riyadh Golf Club from February 4–7 with Adrian Meronk defending his title

• LIV Golf introduces a new 72-hole, four-day format with an expanded 57-player field

• Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau headline a star-studded LIV Golf Riyadh 2026 field

• Thomas Detry joins LIV as a major new signing ahead of the 2026 season

• LIV Golf continues its push for Official World Golf Ranking points recognition