The 2025 season ends with groundbreaking decisions and moments in professional golf shaping the sport’s future.
Although golf is a sport marked by many constants, 2025 saw several profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Some decisions at LIV Golf indicated a move towards closer ties with established tours. Changes also emerged within the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Reorganization
In January, the LIV Golf League saw a leadership change as American Scott O’Neil took over as CEO from Greg Norman, who initially planned to stay on as advisor but stepped down in September. With decades of professional sports management experience, O’Neil announced plans to guide LIV Golf into a new development phase emphasizing innovation and reach. He also advocates a more conciliatory approach toward other golf leagues and aims to explore partnerships with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA introduced new qualification paths for LIV golfers to the Open Championship and the US Open. By April, a rapprochement towards OWGR usage was evident under O’Neil’s leadership. O’Neil and OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman met at Augusta National Golf Club, marking the first contact since LIV Golf’s OWGR application was rejected, which still limits LIV players’ access to major events.
Impact of Penalty Changes on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s 2026 decision to cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour has significant implications. The DP World Tour’s rules, upheld by courts, penalize members competing in unauthorized rival events. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the 2025 Ryder Cup and DP World Tour without penalties as their exclusion cases are pending appeal. Post-2026, DP World Tour members who want to compete in events like the Ryder Cup will bear financial sanctions themselves, potentially weakening Europe’s team in 2027 at Ireland.
The most substantial LIV Golf decision in 2025 was extending tournament play from three to four days for the 2026 season, changing from a 54-hole to a 72-hole format. This aligns their tournaments to Thursday-Sunday schedules similar to PGA and DP World Tours. Previously, LIV events were over three days, breaking traditional golf customs, a concept reflected in the league’s name, with LIV representing the Roman numeral 54.
PGA Tour’s Transformation under New CEO Brian Rolapp
The PGA Tour announced changes in 2025, appointing Brian Rolapp, a top NFL executive, as its new CEO. Rolapp will replace longtime Commissioner