The 2025 season ends with a review of pivotal decisions and moments shaping professional golf worldwide.
Although golf is often characterized by traditions, 2025 saw significant decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. These developments hint at closer ties with established tours, alongside notable changes in the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Leadership Changes
In January, LIV Golf appointed American Scott O’Neil as CEO, succeeding Greg Norman who stepped down in September after initially staying on in an advisory role. With decades of experience, O’Neil aims to lead LIV Golf into its next phase, focusing on innovation and expanding reach. He signaled openness to collaboration with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, R&A and USGA introduced new qualification avenues for LIV players to enter major tournaments like The Open Championship and the US Open. In April, O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman met at Augusta National, marking the first interaction since LIV’s OWGR application was rejected, which still affects LIV players’ major participation prospects.
Impact of Penalties on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s decision to halt penalty payments to the DP World Tour from 2026 onward will have broad ramifications. Regulations, supported by court rulings, sanction DP World Tour members who compete without permission in rival events. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour in 2025 without penalties, with exclusions still under appeal. From 2026, players wishing to remain on the DP World Tour and compete in events like the Ryder Cup will bear financial penalties themselves, potentially weakening Europe’s team in 2027 in Ireland.
Format Revolution: LIV Expands to 72 Holes in 2026
The most profound LIV Golf decision in 2025 was extending tournaments from three to four days for the 2026 season. LIV events will shift from a 54-hole to a 72-hole format, typically played Thursday through Sunday, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour standards. Since its inception, LIV’s three-day events reflected its break from golf traditions, with the league’s name ‘LIV’ symbolizing the Roman numeral for 54.
PGA Tour Leadership Transition: Brian Rolapp Takes the Helm
The PGA Tour announced leadership changes in 2025, with Brian Rolapp, a top NFL executive, becoming CEO. Rolapp will succeed longtime Commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down by the end of 2026. The creation