The 2025 season is ending, highlighting groundbreaking decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is known for its constants, 2025 saw several profound decisions, particularly involving the LIV Golf League. These include signs of rapprochement with established tours, alongside changes in the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf Adjusts Personnel and Strategy
In January, LIV Golf saw a leadership change as American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO from Greg Norman, who initially stayed as an advisor but stepped back in September. O’Neil, with decades of professional sports experience, aims to guide LIV Golf into its next phase by focusing on innovation and broader reach. He also intends a more reconciliatory approach towards other golf leagues and is open to future cooperation with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA created new qualification pathways for LIV players to enter the Open Championship and the US Open. By April, O’Neil and OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman met at Augusta National Golf Club, marking a first step toward possible integration despite previous OWGR application rejection, which still limits LIV players’ major access.
Impacts on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup Penalties
LIV Golf’s announcement to cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour from 2026 will have wide effects. DP World Tour regulations, upheld by courts, sanction members competing in unauthorized rival events. Notably, LIV players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in this year’s Ryder Cup and DP World Tour events without penalties due to ongoing appeals. From 2026, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members and compete in events like the Ryder Cup may have to bear financial sanctions themselves, potentially weakening Europe’s team at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
Format Revolution: LIV Golf Expands to 72 Holes in 2026
A major decision for LIV Golf was extending tournaments from three to four days starting in 2026, expanding from a 54-hole to a 72-hole format. This aligns LIV events to the usual Thursday through Sunday schedule found on the PGA and DP World Tours. Since its founding, LIV tournaments were three-day events, reflecting a break from golf traditions, even reflected in the league’s name ‘LIV’ representing 54 in Roman numerals.
Changes in the PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour announced changes with NFL executive Brian Rolapp becoming CEO, succeeding long-time Commissioner Jay Monahan who plans to retire by the end of 2026. This structural shift includes