The 2025 season is wrapping up, highlighting groundbreaking decisions and moments in professional golf.
While golf remains a sport of many constants, 2025 saw significant decisions primarily within the LIV Golf League. Several choices suggested a rapprochement with established tours, alongside notable changes on the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
LIV Golf Embraces New Leadership and Strategy
In January, the LIV Golf League underwent a leadership change with American Scott O’Neil taking over as CEO from Greg Norman, who initially intended to advise but stepped away by September. O’Neil, with decades of professional sports management experience, pledged to usher LIV Golf into its next phase, emphasizing innovation and broader reach. He favors a more conciliatory approach towards other golf leagues, including possible future collaborations with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, R&A and USGA introduced new qualification opportunities for LIV golfers at the Open Championship and US Open. April brought signs of alignment with the OWGR, critical for major qualifications, when O’Neil met with OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman at Augusta National Golf Club, marking the first high-profile dialogue since LIV Golf’s OWGR application was declined—still limiting LIV players’ Major entries.
Impact on DP World Tour and Ryder Cup
LIV Golf’s decision to cease penalty payments to the DP World Tour from the 2026 season onward carries major implications. The DP World Tour’s rules, confirmed by courts, penalize members participating without approval in competing events. LIV players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton participated in the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour events this year without penalties due to ongoing appeals. From 2026, players wishing to remain members and compete, for instance, in the Ryder Cup must personally bear financial penalties, potentially weakening Europe’s 2027 Ryder Cup team in Ireland.
The most profound shift for LIV Golf in 2025 was expanding tournament formats from 54 to 72 holes starting 2026. Tournaments will now span four days, Thursday through Sunday, aligning with the PGA and DP World Tours, moving away from LIV’s traditional three-day events—a key aspect of the league’s original concept and its Roman numeral 54 branding.
Changes on the PGA and LPGA Tours
The PGA Tour announced major changes with NFL executive Brian Rolapp appointed CEO, succeeding longtime commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down by the end of 2026. Rolapp brings deep expertise in media rights, marketing, and digital strategy, vital for the Tour’s future. The PGA Tour Enterprises was established in 2024 under Rolapp’s leadership to generate new revenue streams.
The LPGA Tour also saw new leadership as