The 2025 season concludes with a review of groundbreaking decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is often marked by many constants, 2025 saw profound decisions mainly in the LIV Golf League. Some moves indicated a rapprochement with established tours. Changes also emerged in the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Overhaul
In January, LIV Golf announced a leadership change. American Scott O’Neil became the new CEO, taking over from Greg Norman, who initially stayed as an advisor but stepped back in September. With decades of experience, O’Neil intends to lead LIV Golf into its next phase, focusing on innovation and wider reach. He is open to collaboration with Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
New qualification paths for LIV players to participate in the Open Championship and the US Open were created by the R&A and USGA in February. Signs of LIV Golf’s approach towards OWGR surfaced in April, including talks between O’Neil and OWGR chair Trevor Immelman at Augusta National Golf Club, marking a significant institutional dialogue despite ongoing challenges with LIV’s OWGR application.
Implications for DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s decision to end fines against DP World Tour members competing in rival events from 2026 carries significant consequences. DP World Tour rules currently sanction unauthorized participation. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated without penalty in 2025 due to ongoing appeals. From 2026, sanctioned players may have to bear financial penalties themselves, potentially weakening Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 2027.
A major change for LIV Golf is the expansion of its tournament format from 54 to 72 holes starting the 2026 season, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour standards by spanning Thursday to Sunday. This move ends the tradition of LIV’s three-day events, named after the Roman numeral for 54.
Transformations in PGA and LPGA Tours
2025 also brought changes to the PGA Tour leadership. Brian Rolapp, a top NFL executive, will succeed long-serving commissioner Jay Monahan by the end of 2026. Rolapp brings media rights, marketing, and digital strategy expertise as the PGA Tour restructures, including creating PGA Tour Enterprises in 2024 to generate revenue beyond golf events.
The LPGA Tour appointed Craig Kessler, formerly with Topgolf, as its new commissioner in May, succeeding Mollie Marcoux Samaan. Kessler’s appointment sparked debate about the absence of a female commissioner in an organization representing women’s golf.
Furthermore, the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy with Mike McCarley in 2022 and partnered with the PGA Tour, began its second season at the end of 2025. Following changes from weekday-only matches, 2026 will feature select games on Friday afternoons and Sundays, enhancing fan engagement with this indoor golf format blending tradition and innovation.