The 2025 season concludes with a review of the most impactful decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is characterized by many constants, 2025 saw several profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Some choices indicated a move towards closer alignment with established tours. Additionally, changes have emerged on the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s New Strategic and Leadership Direction
In January, a leadership change at LIV Golf was announced. American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO of the league, founded in 2021, succeeding Greg Norman, who initially announced an advisory role but withdrew in September. With decades of professional sports management experience, O’Neil plans to lead LIV Golf into its next development phase, emphasizing innovation and reach. He also favors a more conciliatory approach towards other golf leagues and envisions future collaborations with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA created new qualification opportunities for LIV players for the Open Championship and US Open Majors. A rapprochement with the OWGR, which is integral for most Major qualifications, also became apparent under new LIV CEO O’Neil in April. O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman were seen together at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, marking the first institutional engagement since LIV’s rejected OWGR application, which still disadvantages LIV players for Major entries.
Implications of LIV Golf Fines on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s 2026 decision to end fines for DP World Tour incursions will have significant repercussions. DP World Tour regulations—and court decisions—confirm that members playing unauthorized competing events face sanctions. LIV players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton played the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour events in 2025 without fines due to ongoing appeals. From 2026, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members, for example to participate in the Ryder Cup, must bear financial penalties themselves, potentially weakening Europe’s team at the 2027 event in Ireland.
Furthermore, the most transformative decision in LIV Golf this year was extending tournament format from three to four days for the 2026 season. This changes the standard from a 54-hole event to 72 holes typically played Thursday to Sunday, aligning LIV more closely with PGA and DP World Tours. Since its inception, LIV events used a three-day, 54-hole format—reflecting its brand, ‘LIV’ being 54 in Roman numerals—breaking traditional golf conventions.