The 2025 season concludes with a review of pivotal decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is marked by many constants, 2025 saw significant decisions, particularly in the LIV Golf League. LIV Golf’s moves signaled rapprochement with established tours, with changes also evident in the PGA and LPGA Tours.
Strategic and Personnel Shifts in LIV Golf
In January, Scott O’Neil took over as CEO of LIV Golf from Greg Norman, signaling a new development phase focused on innovation and broader reach. O’Neil adopts a more conciliatory stance towards other tours and potential collaborations with Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
February saw the R&A and USGA create new qualifying opportunities for LIV players at the Open Championship and US Open. An OWGR rapprochement became evident in April, highlighted by a meeting at Augusta National between O’Neil and OWGR Chair Trevor Immelman, a first since LIV’s rejected OWGR bid, which still limits LIV players’ Major qualifications.
LIV Golf’s 2026 decision to halt penalty fees to the DP World Tour creates lasting impacts. DP World Tour regulations and courts confirm sanctions for members competing in rival events without permission. Notable LIV players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton competed this year penalty-free due to ongoing appeals, but from 2026, DP World Tour members wishing Ryder Cup participation must shoulder financial penalties, potentially weakening Europe’s 2027 team in Ireland.
The most profound LIV Golf change is extending tournaments from a three-day 54-hole format to a four-day 72-hole format in 2026, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour standards. Traditionally, LIV’s three-day events reflected its break from golf conventions and its Roman numeral 54 namesake.
Transformations in the PGA and LPGA Tours
In 2025, Brian Rolapp, an NFL executive, became PGA Tour CEO, succeeding Commissioner Jay Monahan’s announced 2026 retirement. This shift separates the top policy role from tour representation, with Rolapp also leading PGA Tour Enterprises (founded in 2024) to generate additional revenue, leveraging his expertise in media rights, marketing, and digital strategy, key to the PGA Tour’s future.
The LPGA Tour also saw change as Craig Kessler, ex-Topgolf executive and board member, replaced Mollie Marcoux Samaa as commissioner in May. Kessler’s appointment sparked debate about gender representation in an organization representing women’s golf.
Lastly, the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy with Mike McCarley, entered its second season in late 2025 with a new schedule in 2026,