The 2025 season concludes with a look back at groundbreaking decisions and key moments in professional golf.
Although golf is known for its many constants, 2025 saw several profound decisions, particularly emerging from the LIV Golf League. Some moves by LIV Golf hinted at rapprochement with established tours. Changes were also evident on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Leadership Reshuffle
In January, LIV Golf announced a leadership change with American Scott O’Neil taking over as CEO from Greg Norman, the league’s founder, who initially intended to stay as an advisor but stepped back completely in September. O’Neil, a seasoned sports executive, vowed to advance LIV Golf into its next developmental phase, prioritizing innovation and reach. He also signaled a more conciliatory approach toward other golf leagues, keeping future cooperation with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour on the table.
In February, the R&A and USGA created new qualification pathways for LIV golfers for the Open Championship and the US Open. By April, an alignment with the OWGR had begun to take shape under O’Neil’s leadership, highlighted by a meeting at Augusta National Golf Club between O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman — the first since LIV Golf’s OWGR application was rejected, which still leaves LIV players facing challenges qualifying for Majors.
Impact on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s decision to cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour starting in 2026 will have far-reaching consequences. The DP World Tour’s regulations, upheld by courts, state that members competing in unauthorized events face sanctions. This year, LIV players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour without fines, pending appeal outcomes. From 2026, players who remain DP World Tour members for events like the Ryder Cup must bear their own financial penalties. This may weaken the European team at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
Another major change is LIV Golf’s shift from a 54-hole, three-day format to 72 holes over four days starting in 2026. This aligns LIV tournaments with the Thursday-to-Sunday schedules typical of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. Since its founding, LIV Golf used a three-day model, reflecting its break with golf traditions, even symbolized by its name (LIV = 54 in Roman numerals).
Leadership Changes on PGA and LPGA Tours and New TGL Season
The PGA Tour announced several changes in 2025, including NFL executive Brian Rolapp becoming CEO, succeeding longtime Commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down at the end of 2026. The PGA Tour Enterprises, launched in 2024 to generate new revenues, is headed by Rolapp, who brings deep expertise in media rights, marketing, and digital strategy, key future priorities for the Tour.
In the women’s game, the LPGA Tour appointed Craig Kessler as its new commissioner in May, replacing Mollie Marcoux Samaa. Kessler, formerly on the LPGA board and a seasoned sports and entertainment executive from Topgolf, has sparked discussions about gender representation in