Spanish golf star Jon Rahm has publicly endorsed a major shake-up to LIV Golf's scoring system, a change that would have stripped him of his own individual championship title last season.
Rahm's 'Hollow' Victory Sparks Reform Calls
In a candid admission, the two-time defending LIV individual champion said his 2025 triumph felt somewhat empty because he clinched the title without winning a single tournament. Rahm topped the standings for a second consecutive year based on remarkable consistency, finishing inside the top ten in 12 of his 13 appearances on the Saudi-backed tour.
His closest rival, Chile's Joaquin Niemann, secured five tournament victories in locations including Adelaide, Singapore, and Britain but still fell short in the overall points race. American Bryson DeChambeau placed third. This anomaly has fuelled significant debate, with many arguing the format should reward tournament wins more heavily than steady performance.
"I would say that winning the individual classification doesn't carry the same weight as last year, without having won, especially considering that Joaquín won five times," Rahm stated on the Subpar podcast. "You could argue that maybe he deserved it more."
Major Changes on the Horizon for LIV Golf
Rahm confirmed he hopes the points system will be altered to better recognise event winners. "I know I was more consistent, but if someone wins more than a third of the tournaments, they should probably take the win," he added, expecting modifications to be made. He attributed Niemann's loss to "a few bad weeks" but believes the system will evolve.
The 31-year-old also commented on LIV's planned transition from 54-hole to traditional 72-hole tournaments, a move aimed at appeasing golf purists. Rahm believes the longer format will be "better for the best players."
In other significant changes for the 2026 season:
- The number of players facing relegation will increase from six to eleven.
- Tournament fields will expand from 54 to 57 competitors.
These reforms are part of a broader strategy to help LIV Golf finally secure crucial Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status, which it has been denied since its 2022 launch.
Koepka Seeks PGA Tour Return Amid LIV Exodus
In a related major development, five-time major champion Brooks Koepka has applied to rejoin the PGA Tour after terminating his LIV Golf contract 12 months early. The 35-year-old American cited a desire to be closer to home and spend more time with his family for his departure from the rival league last month.
Players returning from LIV typically face a one-year suspension, but Koepka has reportedly contacted PGA Tour officials to request immediate reinstatement. His case will undergo a disciplinary process involving the PGA Tour Policy Board, which includes player-director Tiger Woods, and the Future Competition committee. However, the final decision is expected to rest with new chief executive Brian Rolapp.
Koepka, who remains eligible for all four majors, played four events on the DP World Tour towards the end of the 2025 season as he prepared for a potential comeback.
