Challenges of night golf for LIV Golf players take center stage in Riyadh

The LIV Golf season opener is set to kick off its 2026 season at ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh, and once again, the action will take place at night under the lights. For fans, night golf creates fascinating visuals and constant action across the illuminated course. But for players, night golf is a unique challenge: Balls disappear against the dark backdrop, the wind direction plays tricks and greens are difficult to read. 

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While speaking at the Legion XIII pre-tournament press conference, Tyrrell Hatton summed up his mindset for the week with his usual dry humor.

"Hit and hope, like every other week." Hatton quipped, adding that most of the field handled it well last year, though a few guys ran into trouble. "I know there were a few guys that had some issues ... they use black irons, so that created an issue for them. But I think for the majority of us, it wasn't too much of a problem. We've got a couple of days to get adjusted to it and it'll be good fun."

The Legion XIII captain, Jon Rahm, brought a more detailed perspective, leaning on his own experience with night setups in Phoenix.

"I wouldn't say night golf is very accessible," Rahm said, noting that while places like Grass Clippings offer lit par-3 courses and fun skins games, the full-scale version doesn't fully translate. "There's little nuances that you get used to fairly quick, but the first time it's a little bit of a surprise ... the awareness of where the club face is related to the ball can be a little tricky."

On reading putts, he pointed out the greens are usually the best-lit part of the course, creating shadows that can distort shades and breaks for players who rely on them.

"But overall, based on the scores last year, I think we did all right," Rahm said. "As a league we did pretty good. After a few days, you kind of start getting used to it."

Once players are acclimated, he said, "it's actually quite fun."

Defending individual champion Adrian Meronk, who went wire-to-wire last year to claim his maiden LIV Golf win, returns with great memories from his breakthrough week.

"It was definitely my highlight of the year," he said. "Great start to the season. I really enjoyed playing night golf, and it worked out quite well."

The key last year, he said, was arriving with no expectations — just focusing on his game and playing his best. He's aiming to carry the same low-pressure attitude into this defense: prepare well, do the job, and see what happens. When pressed on the secret to thriving under the lights, Meronk kept it straightforward.

"Just enjoy it, I guess," he said.

He credited his readiness to a preparation schedule that included playing night golf in Dubai, which gave him a sense of what to expect.

Complaining about the format doesn't help, according to Meronk.

"Straight away you stay behind if you keep complaining and stuff like that," Meronk said. "Start trying to make as many birdies as possible. I think that's the key. There's no secret to it."

On the biggest challenge from last year, Meronk recalled moments when light poles positioned behind him cast shadows right over the ball, making it hard to see at times. But he feels the setup has improved for 2026.

"There's more lights, especially in some parts of the course it's a little bit brighter," he said. "So I think there will be no excuses this year."

Even though Legion XIII cruised to a dominant 11-stroke victory last year, Hatton didn't hesitate when asked if he'd like to see night golf expanded to additional events or stay a one-off.

"For me personally, I'm happy it's a one-off," he said. "It's fun to experience it, and it creates something different, but yeah, I'm happy that it's only once a season."