The 2026 LIV Golf season begins this week in Riyadh, featuring numerous changes that bettors will immediately notice. First, for the 2026 season, LIV Golf has transitioned to a traditional 72-hole format (four rounds) for its regular-season events, moving away from the signature 54-hole structure used since its inception. Despite this Golf Betting Lines shift, it maintains its unique shotgun start and simultaneous individual and team competitions.
For 2026, most tournaments now run from Thursday to Sunday. The 2026 season opener in Riyadh began on a Wednesday (Feb. 4) to align with the local weekend. By contrast to the PGA Tour, all players compete in all four rounds regardless of their score.
LIV Golf uses a shotgun start, with each group starting on a different hole simultaneously, allowing all 57 players to finish their rounds nearly simultaneously. Additionally, there is an expanded field. To summarize, the regular-season field has increased to 57 players, comprising 13 teams of four players each plus 5 “Wild Card” individuals.
2026 LIV Golf Riyadh
When: Wednesday, February 4, through Saturday, February 7, 2026
Where: Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia
TV Coverage: FOX, FS1, FS2
2026 LIV Golf Riyadh Individual Player Odds to Win: Jon Rahm +550, Bryson DeChambeau +600. Tyrrell Hatton +900, David Puig +1000, Joaquin Niemann +1000, Carlos Ortiz +2000, Sebastian Munoz +2000, Talor Gooch +2200, Thomas Detry +2200, Tom McKibbin +2500, Dean Burmester +2800, Marc Leishman +2800, All Other Players +3300 or Higher
2026 LIV Golf Riyadh Top Contenders
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm enters the 2026 season as the reigning back-to-back LIV Golf Individual Champion and captain of the 2025 Team Champions, Legion XIII. Now he is set to begin his 2026 campaign at the season opener in Riyadh on February 4, 2026, following a winless but highly consistent 2025 individual season.
Rahm is prioritizing his commitment to LIV Golf. To show, he has opted to miss DP World Tour sports betting events early this year to prepare for the Riyadh opener. Rahm’s Official World Golf Ranking has fallen to 93rd due to the lack of ranking points awarded for LIV events.
Naturally, Rahm continues to lead Legion XIII, which has added newcomer Tom McKibbin to its roster for the 2026 season. Rahm was named the Clutch Player of the Year at the inaugural LIV Golf Showcase on January 22, 2026.
Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau is entering the 2026 LIV Golf season as the captain of Crushers GC. Thus, he confirms he will fulfill his contract and compete in the season opener in Riyadh. Despite the high-profile departure of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour, DeChambeau has chosen not to utilize the PGA Tour’s “Returning Member Program,” remaining committed to LIV through at least the end of 2026.
DeChambeau’s Crushers GC is the only team in LIV Golf history to maintain an unchanged roster for five consecutive seasons. Concurrently, DeChambeau is reportedly in negotiations for a contract extension that could exceed $500 million, leveraging his status as one of golf’s most significant players. In turn, DeChambeau currently ranks 31st in the Official World Golf Ranking, having finished in the top 10 at three major championships in 2025.
Tyrrell Hatton
England’s Tyrrell Hatton is currently competing in the 2026 LIV Golf League as a member of Legion XIII GC, captained by Jon Rahm. Hatton enters the 2026 season looking for a rebound performance after a consistent but winless 2025 campaign. Specifically, he finished 26th in the individual standings.
Correlate that Hatton remains a key pillar of Legion XIII, playing alongside Jon Rahm, Caleb Surratt, and new addition Tom McKibbin. Previously, he tied for 33rd at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour. Late on, Hatton is 21st on the Official World Golf Ranking.
2026 LIV Golf Riyadh Free Pick
The LIV Golf reboot has already increased traffic and Golf Betting Lines
interest. Now comes the season opener in Riyadh led by a recommitted Jon Rahm. Rahm is the dominant player in LIV Golf and is fully focused on a big year.
2026 LIV Golf Riyadh Best Bets: Jon Rahm.