The 2025 season draws to a close, reflecting on the most pivotal decisions and moments in professional golf.
Though golf is often marked by many constants, 2025 saw significant decisions especially within the LIV Golf League. Several moves indicated a rapprochement with established tours, while the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour also experienced changes.
LIV Golf’s New Strategic and Personnel Directions
In January, LIV Golf saw a leadership change as American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO from Greg Norman, who initially planned to stay as an advisor but stepped down in September. O’Neil, a seasoned sports executive, aims to lead LIV Golf into its next development phase, focusing on innovation and expanding reach. He also advocates a more conciliatory approach to other golf tours 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 qualifying opportunities for LIV players for the Open Championship and the US Open. By April, signs of rapprochement towards the OWGR under O’Neil emerged, marked by a meeting at Augusta National Golf Club between O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman— the first such dialogue since LIV’s OWGR application was previously rejected, which still impacts LIV players’ Major access.
Implications of LIV Golf’s Penalty Changes and Format Revolution
LIV Golf’s 2026 decision to cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour will have wide-ranging effects. DP World Tour rules, legally upheld, sanction members competing without permission in rival events. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour events penalty-free this year pending appeals. Post-2026, DP World Tour members must bear their own financial penalties, potentially weakening Europe’s 2027 Ryder Cup team in Ireland.
The most profound change is LIV Golf’s expansion from a 54-hole to a 72-hole tournament format starting in 2026, aligning with the PGA and DP World Tours by holding events Thursday through Sunday. Since its founding, LIV hosted three-day events reflecting its break with golf traditions, even named after the Roman numeral for 54.
Transformations at the PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour also announced changes in 2025. NFL executive Brian Rolapp will become CEO, succeeding longtime commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down by the end of 2026. This structural shift introduces a CEO role to generate revenue and manage media rights, marketing, and digital strategy, supported by PGA Tour Enterprises