Imagine a golf league where consistency trumps glory, leaving the most dominant player empty-handed. That’s exactly what happened in LIV Golf’s 2025 season, and it’s sparked a major overhaul. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was the system flawed, or did it simply reward a different kind of excellence? Let’s dive in.
Last August in Indianapolis, Jon Rahm found himself in an awkward position. Despite finishing winless for the season, the Spaniard clinched LIV Golf’s individual title for the second consecutive year, pocketing a staggering $18 million bonus. How? Rahm’s 2025 campaign was built on consistency—he placed in the top 10 in all but one LIV event. Yet, most agreed that Joaquin Niemann was the league’s standout performer, winning five out of 13 tournaments. So why didn’t Niemann take the title? The answer lies in LIV’s points system, which favored steady finishes over tournament victories.
Here’s the kicker: Points were only awarded to the top 24 finishers, and Niemann’s two minor slip-ups in Riyadh and Miami cost him dearly. With just 40 points for a win—only 33% more than the runner-up’s 30—consistency outweighed triumph. In an interview with Today’s Golfer, Rahm reflected on this odd scenario, acknowledging the system’s shortcomings. ‘When somebody wins five times, they deserve to win it all,’ he admitted. Yet, he also defended his title, pointing to the parallels in sports like Formula One, where consistency can sometimes overshadow victories.
Niemann, despite having every right to feel hard done by, remained gracious. ‘We all know how good Jon is,’ the Chilean said. ‘But in golf, you expect the winner to have a bigger advantage. The points system didn’t really give tournament winners enough credit.’ He wasn’t wrong. The system, as Niemann put it, ‘wasn’t the best.’
And this is the part most people miss: LIV Golf has listened. Among a slew of offseason changes—including a shift to 72-hole tournaments and increased relegation—the league has completely overhauled its points system. Starting in 2026, points will be awarded to all finishing players, with a heavier emphasis on tournament winners. A total of 1,000 points will be distributed across the 57-player field, with the winner earning 200 points (20%). Second place will claim 113 points (11.3%), ensuring that the season-long title race is defined by victories. Had this system been in place last year, Niemann would have been the undisputed champion.
‘The revised structure is designed to better reflect consistent, high-level performance while recognizing the importance of individual contributions,’ LIV stated. This ‘enhanced system’ will not only shape the race for the top prize but also impact relegation, with the Drop Zone expanded to 11 places. Even for players at the bottom of the leaderboard, every point will matter.
As Niemann aptly noted, ‘The new points system is going to be better for everybody.’ But here’s the question: Does this change make LIV Golf fairer, or does it simply shift the goalposts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
