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LIV Golf stars Garcia and Reed set for International Series Macau

LIV Golf stars Garcia and Reed set for International Series Macau
Sergio Garcia has been confirmed for the 2025 International Series Macau (Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)
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Updated 18 February 2025

LIV Golf stars Garcia and Reed set for International Series Macau

LIV Golf stars Garcia and Reed set for International Series Macau
  • The Asian Tour event has this year been named as a qualifying pathway event for The Open

MACAU: Major champions Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed are the latest big names confirmed for the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, the elevated Asian Tour tournament that is a qualifying event for The Open this year.

The 2017 and 2018 Masters champions, respectively, will be part of a stellar field at Macau Golf and Country Club from March 20 to 23. The lineup includes defending champion John Catlin, who shot a historic 59 to claim a thrilling playoff victory at the same venue last year.

Spaniard Garcia, captain of the Fireballs GC in the LIV Golf League, will bring his entire team for the second of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar.

Mexican Abraham Ancer, the LIV Golf Hong Kong 2024 champion, Spaniard David Puig, who lost in the playoff to Catlin last year, and close-season recruit Luis Masaveu will all line up in Macau.

All four Fireballs GC players have shown good form this season, having secured the team title at the recent LIV Golf Adelaide by an emphatic six strokes.  

Hong Kong native Taichi Kho, the 2023 World City Championship winner, is also confirmed as part of a truly international field, with more big names to be revealed soon.

Garcia had an impressive 2024, recording his maiden win in the LIV Golf League at LIV Golf Andalucia, having lost in two playoffs — Mayakoba and Miami — earlier in the season.

The Ryder Cup legend finished third in the league’s overall individual standings, behind Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann.

Reed, who won the famous green jacket at Augusta a year after Garcia in 2018 and lined up against the Spaniard three times in the Ryder Cup, also had an impressive 2024.

The American, who plays for 4Aces GC in the LIV Golf league, stormed to a runaway victory at the Link Hong Kong Open on The International Series, ending a four-year drought.

The Macau contest was recently named as a tournament on The Open Qualifying Series for 2025, with the top three finishers set to earn a coveted spot in the field for this year’s fourth major.

Rahul Singh, head of The International Series, said: “Welcoming a field of this caliber, featuring major champions, LIV Golf stars, and rising talent, takes International Series Macau presented by Wynn to another level.

“The presence of globally recognized players alongside proven winners from The International Series and Asian Tour adds incredible depth to the competition, making this a must-watch event. With so much at stake, including three places in the field for The Open, we’re set for an electrifying week of world-class golf.â€


LIV Golf switching to 72-hole format in 2026: official

LIV Golf switching to 72-hole format in 2026: official
Updated 05 November 2025

LIV Golf switching to 72-hole format in 2026: official

LIV Golf switching to 72-hole format in 2026: official
  • A statement from LIV on Tuesday said the circuit’s events will now be played over four days, with most starting on a Thursday
  • The decision to adopt the 72-hole format also boosts the chances of LIV reaching an agreement with the PGA Tour over unifying golf

NEW YORK: LIV Golf will abandon its abbreviated 54-hole format in favor of 72-hole tournaments in 2026, officials said Tuesday.

The Saudi-backed circuit, whose name is derived from the Roman numeral for ‘54’, had previously touted its three-round tournaments as a core distinction from traditional golf events.

However, the 54-hole format prevented LIV events from earning Official Golf World Rankings points, making it harder for LIV players to qualify for golf’s majors.

A statement from LIV on Tuesday said the circuit’s events will now be played over four days, with most starting on a Thursday.

“As we enter our fourth season as a League, the move to 72 holes marks a pivotal new chapter for LIV Golf that strengthens our League, challenges our elite field of players,†LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil said.

“The most successful leagues around the world ...continue to innovate and evolve their product, and as an emerging league, we are no different,†O’Neil added.

“LIV Golf will always have an eye toward progress that acts in the best interest of LIV Golf and in the best interest of the sport.â€

The decision to adopt the 72-hole format also boosts the chances of LIV reaching an agreement with the PGA Tour over unifying golf. The two circuit’s different formats had reportedly been a key stumbling block in ongoing negotiations.

The circuit’s decision was welcomed by LIV’s biggest stars, with former world No. 1 Jon Rahm describing it as “a win for the League and the players.â€

“We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and to perfect our craft,†Rahm said in a statement.

Two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau said he hoped the move would enable more LIV players to compete in majors.

“Everyone wants to see the best players in the world competing against each other, especially in the majors, and for the good of the game, we need a path forward,†DeChambeau said.

“By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognized globally.â€

Launched in 2022, LIV Golf divided the sport after signing a slew of golf’s biggest names to big-money deals including Rahm, DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.

The 2026 LIV Golf season tees off in Riyadh in February.