While Bubba Watson Says “No”, Another LIV Captain Gives His Verdict on the League’s Compromise
Credits: IMAGO
Credits: IMAGO
LIV Golf's potential move to a 72-hole format has divided its top players. But did this move please Cameron Smith?
LIV Golf has remained in the spotlight for trying its best to get acknowledged by the Official World Golf Ranking.
A couple of days ago, Smith told the famed journalist, Sam Frost, “I’m happy with them. I think it helps our team. We’ve got a really deep team. Another 18 holes out there might be good.”
“I think we’re great scramblers, so another 18 holes to get a few more looks at birdie, I don’t think, will hurt us.”
December 7, 2025, Melbourne, Australia: Cameron Smith of Australia seen in action during round four of the Australian Open Golf tournament. The 2025 Australian Open concluded with Denmarks Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen securing the championship at 15-under after a tense final round at The Australian Golf Club. The tournament delivers a dramatic finish, with top international contenders pushing the leaderboard to the final holes. Large crowds gathered across the course as fans watch one of Australias premier golf events come to a close for the year. Melbourne Australia - ZUMAs197 20251207_aaa_s197_085 Copyright: xYexMyoxKhantx
December 7, 2025, Melbourne, Australia: Cameron Smith of Australia seen in action during round four of the Australian Open Golf tournament. The 2025 Australian Open concluded with Denmarks Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen securing the championship at 15-under after a tense final round at The Australian Golf Club. The tournament delivers a dramatic finish, with top international contenders pushing the leaderboard to the final holes. Large crowds gathered across the course as fans watch one of Australias premier golf events come to a close for the year. Melbourne Australia - ZUMAs197 20251207_aaa_s197_085 Copyright: xYexMyoxKhantx
As an individual, Smith ranked fifth in scrambling at 65% in the last season. And on a team level, Ripper GC ranked fourth with a scrambling percentage of 61.2%. With a longer game, these numbers are expected to improve.
Cameron Smith told Mirror US Sports, “I also think it just aligns with the pace of other tournaments, you know, the majors and stuff that we compete in. It felt like 54 if you got off to a bit of a slow start, you were so far behind and maybe pushed a little bit too quickly, too early, on reflection.”
But on the other hand, Bubba Watson contradicted Smith’s perspective with an interesting take.
Bubba Watson Doesn’t Agree With Cameron Smith
Talking to Frost, Watson refused to support the new 72-hole format.
He claimed, “I think we should go three days. And there’s a reason why. I think that at the sprint, everybody stays together. When you go four days, you’re going to have some more spread-out leaders. And it just kinda takes away your last round, right?”
In a 54-hole game, all contestants stay close to each other. The game stays fast-paced and without cuts with fewer holes. And that ensures better visibility of all the 48 players till the final round.
Watson concluded, “So, that just makes it better for the fans when there’s chaos happening.”
Cameron Smith views the longer format as a competitive advantage, while Bubba Watson defends LIV Golf’s original chaos-driven identity. The debate highlights a league still balancing evolution with its founding appeal.
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu