The 2025 season concludes with a review of groundbreaking decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is often marked by tradition, 2025 brought several profound changes, particularly within the LIV Golf League. Some decisions hinted at LIV Golf moving closer to established tours, while transformations also emerged in the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Personnel and Strategic Renewal
In January, a leadership change at LIV Golf was announced. American Scott O’Neil became the new CEO of the 2021-founded league, succeeding Greg Norman, who initially stayed on as an advisor but stepped back in September. With decades of professional sports management experience, O’Neil aims to steer LIV Golf into its next phase, emphasizing innovation and expanding reach. He also signals a more conciliatory approach toward other golf tours and does not dismiss future collaborations with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA created new qualification paths for LIV Golf players for the Open Championship and the US Open. In April, O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman met at Augusta National Golf Club, marking the first interaction since LIV Golf’s OWGR application was rejected, which continues to limit LIV players’ access to Majors.
Format Revolution and Penalty Changes
LIV Golf’s decision to end penalty payments to the DP World Tour starting in 2026 carries significant implications. The DP World Tour rules, upheld legally, penalize members participating in rival events without approval. Yet players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton played in the 2025 Ryder Cup and DP World Tour without fines as their cases are under appeal. From 2026, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members and compete in events like the Ryder Cup must assume financial responsibilities, potentially weakening the European team in 2027.
Moreover, the most transformative change for LIV Golf is expanding tournaments from a 54-hole, three-day format to a 72-hole, four-day format in 2026, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour standards. This shift marks a departure from LIV’s original innovation symbolized by its name ‘LIV’, the Roman numeral for 54.
Shifts in PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour also announced major changes: Brian Rolapp, a seasoned NFL executive, will take over as CEO, succeeding Commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down by end of 2026. Rolapp brings expertise in media rights, marketing, and digital strategy, key for the Tour’s future growth. In 2024, PGA Tour Enterprises was established to generate new revenue streams, with Rolapp at its helm.
The LPGA Tour welcomed new commissioner Craig Kessler in May, succeeding Mollie Marcoux Samaa. Kessler, formerly on the LPGA board and with a background at Topgolf, brings extensive experience from sports and entertainment. His appointment sparked debate about the absence of a female commissioner in a women’s golf organization.
Tomorrow Golf League Advances Fan Engagement
The Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in 2022, enters