The 2025 season comes to a close with key decisions shaping the future of professional golf in LIV Golf, PGA, and LPGA tours.
Although golf is often marked by tradition, 2025 brought significant changes, particularly within the LIV Golf League. Several decisions signaled a move toward integration with established tours, alongside notable shifts in the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Leadership Reshuffle
In January, Scott O’Neil became CEO of LIV Golf, succeeding Greg Norman who later stepped away in September. O’Neil, a seasoned sports executive, aims to advance LIV Golf with a focus on innovation and broader collaboration, including potential partnerships with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
February saw new qualification pathways created by the R&A and USGA, allowing LIV players access to the Open Championship and US Open. In April, O’Neil met with OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National, hinting at potential rapprochement despite LIV’s rejected OWGR membership, which still poses challenges for LIV players’ Major entries.
Major Tour Changes and Future Outlook
Starting in 2026, LIV Golf will cease its penalty payments to the DP World Tour, impacting player participation rules and potentially weakening the European Ryder Cup team. Additionally, LIV Golf will extend its tournament format from 54 holes over three days to 72 holes across four days, aligning with PGA and DP World Tours’ standard schedules.
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour appointed NFL executive Brian Rolapp as CEO, succeeding Commissioner Jay Monahan by the end of 2026. Rolapp’s expertise in media rights and digital strategy marks a strategic shift in tour management. The LPGA Tour named Craig Kessler as its new Commissioner in May, sparking discussions about gender representation within the organization’s leadership.
Lastly, the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in partnership with the PGA Tour, launched its second season in late 2025. The indoor league featuring PGA Tour players will expand its match days to include Friday afternoons and Sundays in 2026, offering fans new viewing experiences.