The 2025 season wraps up with key decisions and moments shaping professional golf worldwide.
While golf remains a sport of many constants, 2025 saw several major decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Some moves signaled a closer alignment with established tours, with visible changes also at the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Leadership Shift in 2025
In January, LIV Golf appointed American Scott O’Neil as its new CEO, succeeding Greg Norman who initially stayed as advisor but fully exited by September. Bringing decades of sports management experience, O’Neil aims to propel LIV Golf into its next phase, emphasizing innovation and broader reach. He also seeks a more collaborative stance with major tournaments, the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
February saw the R&A and USGA introduce new qualifying routes for LIV players to the Open Championship and US Open. An opportunity for OWGR integration emerged by April, when O’Neil met with OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National, marking the first contact since LIV’s OWGR application was denied, a factor still limiting LIV players’ major participation.
Impactful Changes Across Tours
Notably, from 2026 LIV Golf will cease paying fines to DP World Tour for unauthorized player participation, a rule backed legally. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton competed in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour events without fines in 2025 pending appeals. Post-2025, players remaining on the DP World Tour must cover their fines themselves, potentially weakening Europe’s team for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
Additionally, LIV Golf is shifting its tournament format from three-day (54 holes) to four-day (72 holes) events starting in 2026, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour standards. This marks a significant evolution from LIV’s original three-day concept, which symbolized a break from golfing traditions—reflected in ‘LIV’ representing the Roman numeral for 54.
Leadership and Format Updates in PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour announced leadership changes with Brian Rolapp, a seasoned NFL executive, to become CEO, replacing commissioner Jay Monahan by late 2026. Rolapp also leads the PGA Tour Enterprises, focusing on new revenue streams and digital strategies—a pivotal shift in golf’s business approach.
In the LPGA Tour, Craig Kessler succeeded Mollie Marcoux Samaa as commissioner in May, bringing experience from Topgolf and entertainment sectors. His appointment sparked discussion regarding female representation in leadership roles within women’s golf.
Tomorrow Golf League’s New Season Schedule
The Tomorrow Golf League (