The 2025 season wraps up with a look back at the most significant decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is characterized by many constants, 2025 saw several profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Some of these indicated a rapprochement with established tours, while changes also affected the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Overhaul
In January, Scott O’Neil took over as CEO of LIV Golf from Greg Norman, who stepped down from business operations in September after initially announcing an advisory role. O’Neil, with decades of professional sports management experience, aims to lead LIV Golf into its next phase characterized by innovation and broader reach. He has expressed openness to collaboration with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA created new qualification opportunities for LIV players for the Open Championship and US Open. By April, signs of LIV Golf aligning more closely with the OWGR emerged, including a meeting between O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National Golf Club, marking the first engagement since LIV’s OWGR application was declined. Nevertheless, LIV players still face challenges in Major qualification.
Format Revolution and Penalties Impacting Tours
From 2026, LIV Golf will cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour for players participating in competing events. The DP World Tour’s regulations enforce sanctions on members competing without approval, a policy confirmed legally. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton remain eligible for Ryder Cup participation and DP World Tour events in 2025 pending appeals. However, from 2026 onwards, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members must bear financial penalties themselves, potentially weakening the European team at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
One of LIV Golf’s most impactful changes is extending tournaments from three to four days in the 2026 season. This shifts the format from 54 holes to 72 holes, aligning LIV events with the Thursday-to-Sunday schedule typical of the PGA and DP World Tours. The original three-day format was part of LIV’s strategy to defy traditional golf norms, even reflected in its name, with LIV representing the Roman numeral for 54.
Leadership Changes in PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour announced a leadership transition in 2025 with Brian Rolapp, a top NFL executive, appointed as CEO. Rolapp will succeed longtime Commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down by the end of 2026. Rolapp brings strong expertise in media rights, marketing, and digital strategy—key focus areas for the Tour’s future. The PGA Tour Enterprises, founded in 2024 to