The 2025 season is ending, highlighting key decisions and moments that shaped professional golf worldwide.
Although golf is characterized by many constants, 2025 brought some profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Several moves by LIV Golf indicated rapprochement with established tours. Changes also appeared in the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Leadership Overhaul
In January, LIV Golf saw a leadership change as American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO from Greg Norman, who initially stayed on as advisor before stepping away in September. O’Neil, a seasoned sports executive, aims to lead LIV Golf into a new phase of innovation and outreach. He seeks a more conciliatory approach with 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 qualifying opportunities for LIV players in the Open Championship and U.S. Open. A move towards OWGR recognition was also seen under O’Neil in April, highlighted by his meeting with OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National, the first since LIV’s rejected OWGR application, which still limits LIV players’ access to Majors.
Impact of Penalties on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s decision to cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour as of 2026 will have significant impacts. The DP World Tour’s regulations, legally upheld, sanction members playing unauthorized competing events. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated penalty-free this year during ongoing appeals. From 2026, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members and compete in events like the Ryder Cup must bear financial penalties themselves, potentially weakening the European team in 2027.
LIV Golf made its most profound change by extending tournaments from three to four days for the 2026 season. LIV will switch from a 54-hole format to the traditional 72 holes, scheduling events Thursday through Sunday, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour practices. This marks a shift from LIV’s original unconventional three-day model, which reflected its break from golfing tradition symbolized in its name LIV (Roman numeral for 54).
Changes in the PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour announced leadership changes in 2025, with NFL executive Brian Rolapp named CEO, replacing long-serving Commissioner Jay Monahan who plans to step down by late 2026. The role of Commissioner has shifted with the creation of PGA Tour Enterprises in 2024 to generate revenue, led by Rolapp who brings expertise in media rights, marketing, and digital strategies.
The LPGA Tour also saw change with Craig Kessler, former Topgolf executive, replacing Mollie Marcoux Samaan as Commissioner in May. Kessler’s appointment sparked discussions about gender representation given the LPGA’s focus on women’s golf.
The Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in 2022 in partnership with the PGA Tour, is entering its second season. The 2025–2026 season finale is scheduled for March 2026. TGL is an indoor golf league blending traditional golf elements and PGA Tour players. After