The 2025 season is ending, and we look back at the most impactful decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is a sport characterized by many constants, 2025 brought significant decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. These decisions indicate a potential rapprochement with established tours. Changes were also witnessed in the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Restructuring
In January, a leadership change occurred as American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO of LIV Golf, succeeding Greg Norman who initially remained as an advisor but stepped down in September. Scott O’Neil, with decades of professional sports management experience, aims to lead LIV Golf into its next phase featuring innovation and expanded reach. He also advocates a reconciliatory approach towards other golf leagues and is open to future collaborations with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA introduced new qualification avenues for LIV Golf players to participate in the Open Championship and the US Open. An approach toward OWGR, largely used for Major qualifications, was also noted under O’Neil’s leadership, highlighted by a meeting in April at Augusta National Golf Club between O’Neil and OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman. Despite this progress, the previously denied OWGR application means LIV players still face challenges in qualifying for Majors.
Financial Penalties and Format Revolution
LIV Golf’s decision to cease financial penalties against the DP World Tour starting in 2026 has significant implications. The DP World Tour has rules, supported by court rulings, that sanction members participating in competing events without permission. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton could still participate in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour events in 2025 without penalties as appeals are pending, but from 2026, affected players must personally bear sanctions, potentially weakening the European Ryder Cup team in 2027.
A landmark change is LIV Golf’s extension of tournaments from the 54-hole, three-day format to a 72-hole, four-day format starting in 2026. This adjustment aligns their events with the traditional Thursday to Sunday schedule common in the PGA and DP World Tours. The original three-day format symbolized LIV’s break from golfing traditions, even reflected in its name with LIV representing the Roman numeral 54.
Shifts in PGA and LPGA Tours
In 2025, the PGA Tour announced changes with Brian Rolapp, a top NFL executive, appointed as CEO, succeeding Commissioner Jay Monahan who plans to retire at the end of 2026. The role restructure introduces a CEO position to manage policy and strategy, with Rolapp overseeing the newly created PGA Tour