The 2025 season wraps up with a review of the most pivotal decisions and moments in professional golf.
While golf remains a sport of many constants, 2025 witnessed some profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Several decisions by LIV Golf indicated a move towards rapprochement with the established tours. Changes were also evident in the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Reshuffle
In January, a leadership change was announced for the LIV Golf League. American Scott O’Neil took over as the new CEO of the 2021-founded league from Greg Norman, who initially planned to stay as advisor but stepped away entirely in September. With decades of professional sports management experience, O’Neil vowed to usher LIV Golf into its next development phase, emphasizing innovation and outreach. He also promotes a conciliatory approach towards other golf leagues, aiming for future collaboration with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA introduced new qualifying routes for LIV players for the two major championships, the Open Championship and the US Open. Signs of rapprochement with the OWGR, which mostly governs major qualifications, also appeared under O’Neil’s tenure in April when he was seen meeting with OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National Golf Club—marking a first after LIV’s rejected OWGR application. However, LIV players still face disadvantages regarding major participation.
Consequences for DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
The LIV Golf decision to halt fines against the DP World Tour from 2026 carries significant implications. DP World Tour rules, upheld by courts, sanction members who play unauthorized competing events. LIV players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour in 2025 without fines, pending legal proceedings on their exclusion. From 2026, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members—for example, to keep Ryder Cup eligibility—will bear financial penalties themselves, potentially weakening Europe’s team at the 2027 event in Ireland.
One of LIV Golf’s most significant changes in 2025 was extending their tournament format from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026. This aligns LIV events with the Thursday-to-Sunday schedule common in the PGA and DP World Tours. Since inception, LIV tournaments featured three-day formats as part of its concept to break golf traditions, reflected in the league’s name, LIV, representing the Roman numeral for 54.
Shifts in PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour also