Talor Gooch claims 54-hole golf is ‘more exciting’

Talor Gooch believes LIV Golf’s format is right where it needs to be.

Talk of change has been persistent in recent weeks, leaving Phil Mickelson suggesting it would be no suprise to see an extra 18 holes played.

“Wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of LIV events went to 72,” he said last week, while Jon Rahm said at the start of the year that he “definitely wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes.”

But Gooch says the traditional format is an ‘arbitrary number’, claiming LIV’s current setup is ‘more exciting for the fans’.

“It’s just funny to me, this arbitrary number of 72,” he said, speaking ahead of LIV Golf Singapore.

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“Why is it not 90? “Why is it not 108? We just decided to make that number the number, for what reason?

“Everyone’s talked about world ranking points and all this stuff, but no one’s talked about what do the fans enjoy more?

“People want something that’s going to be more exciting. And I personally think that the 54 holes is more exciting for the fans.”

Gooch is set for a return to LIV’s only Australian stop, a tournament he won last year. The 32-year-old followed the success with titles in Singapore and Andalucia.

Meanwhile, Gooch missed out on the Masters last week, as 13 of his colleagues on the Saudi-backed circuit made the trip to Augusta.

The Smash GC member said it was “tough” not being there and hopes to head back to Georgia next year.

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“It was tough seeing guys go and play the magical place that it is, it was tough not to be there but hopefully things change.

“Hopefully in a year I’m back there. I really like the golf course; I think it fits my game too.

“Hopefully, this crazy world of golf will come together and figure it out so that we can have the best of the best for the ultimate events of the year.”

There were 13 LIV Golf players at the Masters last week, with three finishing inside the top-ten.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.