The 2025 season ends with a review of the most groundbreaking decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is marked by many constants, 2025 saw some profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Some of LIV Golf’s decisions indicated a rapprochement with established tours. Changes were also evident on the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf Restructures Leadership and Strategy
In January, LIV Golf announced a leadership change. American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO of LIV Golf, founded in 2021, succeeding Greg Norman who initially planned to stay as advisor but stepped back in September. With decades of pro sports experience, O’Neil aims to lead LIV Golf into a new phase emphasizing innovation and reach. He also advocates a more conciliatory approach towards other golf leagues and foresees possible cooperation with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA created new qualifying opportunities for LIV golfers for the Open Championship and the US Open. An alignment with the OWGR, which governs most Major qualifications, was also suggested by O’Neil in April. He and OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman were seen meeting at Augusta National, marking the first institutional dialogue since LIV Golf’s prior rejected OWGR application, which continues to limit LIV players’ Major participation.
Impacts on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s decision to cease fines against the DP World Tour from 2026 onwards will have far-reaching effects. The DP World Tour’s rules, upheld legally, penalize members who play unauthorized competing events. LIV players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour without fines this year due to ongoing appeals. Going forward, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members to compete in events like the Ryder Cup will have to bear their own financial penalties, possibly leading to a weakened European team in Ireland 2027.
Format Revolution: LIV Extends to 72 Holes from 2026
The most significant change in LIV Golf in 2025 was extending tournament play from three to four days for the 2026 season. LIV tournaments will no longer be 54-hole events but will follow a 72-hole format, typically Thursday to Sunday, aligning with PGA and DP World Tours. Since inception, LIV events were three days, reflecting the league’s break with golf tradition and even its name, LIV, which is Roman numerals for 54.
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