As the 2025 season wraps up, we look back at the most pivotal decisions and moments that shaped professional golf this year.
While golf is often defined by tradition, 2025 brought major shifts across the sport’s top tours. The LIV Golf League in particular saw strategic changes, while the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour also experienced leadership transitions and structural reforms.
LIV Golf Restructures and Moves Toward Integration
In January, Scott O’Neil took over as CEO of LIV Golf, replacing Greg Norman. O’Neil, a seasoned sports executive, aims to lead LIV into its next phase with a focus on innovation and broader reach. He has also signaled a more conciliatory approach toward traditional tours, expressing openness to collaboration 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 players to enter the Open Championship and U.S. Open. In April, O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman were seen in discussion at Augusta National, marking the first visible step toward reconciliation since OWGR denied LIV’s ranking application—a decision that continues to affect players’ Major eligibility.
LIV also announced it will stop covering DP World Tour fines for its players starting in 2026. This could impact Ryder Cup eligibility, as players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton may face sanctions unless they personally cover the penalties. This shift could weaken Team Europe for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
Perhaps the most significant change is LIV’s decision to expand its tournament format from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026. Events will now run from Thursday to Sunday, aligning with PGA and DP World Tour standards. The original 54-hole format was a hallmark of LIV’s break from tradition—reflected even in its name, with LIV representing the Roman numeral for 54.
PGA and LPGA Tours See Leadership Changes
The PGA Tour also underwent a leadership shake-up. Brian Rolapp, a former NFL executive, was named CEO and will eventually replace Commissioner Jay Monahan, who plans to step down by the end of 2026. Rolapp also heads PGA Tour Enterprises, founded in 2024 to drive revenue. His expertise in media rights and digital strategy is expected to be pivotal for the Tour’s future.
On the LPGA Tour, Craig Kessler, formerly of Topgolf, succeeded Mollie Marcoux Samaan as Commissioner in May. Kessler