The 2025 season comes to a close as we review pivotal decisions and moments shaping professional golf worldwide.
Although golf is often marked by many constants, 2025 saw some profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Several moves by LIV Golf pointed toward closer alignment with established tours, while changes also became visible within the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Reshuffle
In January, a leadership change came for the LIV Golf League as American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO from Greg Norman, founder of the 2021 golf league. Norman initially planned to advise but stepped back from operations in September. O’Neil, a seasoned sports manager, aims to lead LIV Golf into its next phase with innovation and greater reach, adopting a more conciliatory stance toward other golf leagues and seeking future cooperation with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA introduced new qualifying opportunities for LIV golfers to participate in the Open Championship and the US Open. By April, a rapprochement with the OWGR, which is crucial for major qualifications, became apparent under CEO O’Neil. He and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman met at Augusta National Golf Club—the first meeting between these entities since LIV’s OWGR application was rejected, which still restricts LIV players’ access to majors.
Impact of LIV Golf’s Penalty Changes and Format Innovation
LIV Golf’s decision to stop penalty payments to the DP World Tour from 2026 onward will greatly affect golf globally. DP World Tour rules and court rulings confirm sanctions against members who compete at unauthorized events. In 2025, LIV players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour without penalties pending appeals. From 2026, DP World Tour members wishing to remain eligible, for example for the Ryder Cup, must handle financial penalties themselves, potentially weakening the European team at the 2027 event in Ireland.
The most significant LIV Golf decision in 2025 was extending tournament play from three to four days for the 2026 season. LIV events will shift from their traditional 54-hole format to 72 holes, running typically Thursday through Sunday, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour standards. Since its founding, LIV Golf’s three-day tournaments reflected a break from golf tradition, symbolized by LIV’s Roman numeral for 54.
Shifts in PGA and LPGA Tours, Plus Tomorrow Golf League Updates
The PGA Tour announced major structural changes in 202