The 2025 season ends with a look back at the most pivotal decisions and moments in professional golf.
While golf is often defined by constants, 2025 brought significant shifts, particularly within the LIV Golf League. Several moves suggested a rapprochement towards established tours, alongside changes at the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Overhaul
In January, LIV Golf appointed American Scott O’Neil as its new CEO, succeeding Greg Norman who initially remained as advisor but resigned in September. O’Neil, a sports industry veteran, intends to lead LIV Golf into a new phase emphasizing innovation and broader reach. He also advocates for a more conciliatory approach with other golf leagues, open to collaborations with the Majors, Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
February saw the R&A and USGA establish new qualification paths for LIV players in the Open Championship and U.S. Open. Discussions in April between O’Neil and OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National signaled a thaw in relations, despite LIV’s OWGR application still being rejected, which continues to impact LIV golfers’ Major eligibility.
DP World Tour Penalties and Ryder Cup Implications
LIV Golf’s decision to cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour from 2026 carries significant consequences. The DP World Tour’s regulations, upheld by courts, sanction members competing in unauthorized events. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton remained exempt for 2025 pending appeals, yet from 2026, those wishing to stay with DP World Tour—for Ryder Cup eligibility, for instance—must personally shoulder financial penalties, potentially weakening Europe’s 2027 Ryder Cup team in Ireland.
LIV Golf Revolutionizes Format to 72 Holes in 2026
A landmark decision expanded LIV’s tournament format from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026, shifting events to a Thursday-Sunday schedule similar to the PGA and DP World Tours. Since its inception, LIV tournaments comprised three days, aligning with LIV’s brand as the Roman numeral for 54, symbolizing a break from traditional golf conventions.
Transformation at the PGA Tour: Brian Rolapp Takes Helm
2025 also marked organizational changes at the PGA Tour, with NFL executive Brian Rolapp named CEO, transitioning leadership from Commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down by 2026’s end. Rolapp brings expertise in media rights, marketing, and digital strategy, key for the tour’s future. The PGA Tour Enterprises, established in 2024 to boost revenue, falls under his leadership as well.
LPGA Tour’s Leadership Shift and Emerging Debate
In May, Craig Kessler, former Topgolf executive and LPGA board member, replaced Mollie Marcoux Samaa as LPGA Commissioner. Kessler’s appointment stirred discussion about gender representation in female golf’s leadership.
Tomorrow Golf League Expands Fan Engagement
Founded in 2022 by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley in partnership with the PGA Tour, the indoor Tomorrow Golf League (