The 2025 season concludes with a review of key decisions and moments shaping professional golf.
Although golf is characterized by many constants, 2025 has seen several profound decisions, particularly in the LIV Golf League. Some LIV Golf decisions hinted at rapprochement with established tours, while the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour also experienced changes.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Leadership Shift
In January, Scott O’Neil took over as the new CEO of LIV Golf from Greg Norman, who stepped back entirely by September. O’Neil, a seasoned sports executive, aims to guide LIV Golf into its next development phase with innovation and broader reach. He also pursues a more conciliatory approach toward other golf leagues, considering future cooperation with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, R&A and USGA created new qualification pathways for LIV Golf players into the Open Championship and the U.S. Open. By April, signs of convergence with OWGR emerged, marked by a meeting between O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National Golf Club. However, LIV Golf’s rejected OWGR application continues to limit LIV players’ access to Majors.
Impacts on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s decision to end penalty payments to the DP World Tour from 2026 will have significant ramifications. The DP World Tour’s rules, upheld legally, penalize members who compete in authorized rival events. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in this year’s Ryder Cup and DP World Tour events without penalties, pending legal appeals. From 2026, players wanting to remain on the DP World Tour and participate in Ryder Cups may face financial sanctions themselves, potentially leading to a weakened European team for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
Additionally, LIV Golf revolutionizes its tournament format for 2026 by expanding events from three to four days, moving from 54 to 72 holes, aligning with PGA Tour and DP World Tour standards with tournaments played Thursday to Sunday. This format change marks a significant shift from LIV’s initial model, which broke with golfing traditions.
PGA and LPGA Tours: Leadership and Structural Changes
The PGA Tour announced that Brian Rolapp, a top NFL executive, will become its CEO, succeeding Commissioner Jay Monahan who will retire by late 2026. Rolapp’s expertise in media rights and digital strategy aligns with new PGA Tour Enterprises launched in 2024 to generate additional revenue for the tour.
On the LPGA Tour side, Craig Kessler replaced Mollie Marc