The 2025 season concludes with a review of groundbreaking decisions and moments in professional golf.
Although golf is characterized by many constants, 2025 brought several profound decisions, especially within the LIV Golf League. Some moves by LIV Golf indicated a rapprochement with established tours, while changes in the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour also became apparent.
LIV Golf’s Strategic and Personnel Reshuffle
In January, LIV Golf announced a change in leadership with American Scott O’Neil taking over as CEO, succeeding Greg Norman who initially remained as an advisor but stepped away in September. O’Neil, an experienced sports executive, aims to lead LIV Golf into its next phase, focusing on innovation and expanding reach. He also advocates a more conciliatory approach toward other golf leagues, open to future collaborations with the Majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the PGA Tour.
In February, the R&A and USGA introduced new qualification opportunities for LIV players for the Open Championship and the US Open. By April, signs of alignment with the OWGR appeared under O’Neil’s leadership, including a notable meeting at Augusta National Golf Club with OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman. However, LIV Golf’s previously rejected OWGR application continues to pose participation challenges for its players in Majors.
Impact on Tours: Penalties, Formats and Leadership Changes
LIV Golf will cease paying fines to the DP World Tour from 2026. The DP World Tour’s regulations, court-affirmed, penalize members who compete without permission in rival events. Players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton competed penalty-free in 2025 at events including the Ryder Cup, pending appeal outcomes. From 2026, players wishing to remain DP World Tour members and compete in events like the Ryder Cup will bear their own financial sanctions, potentially weakening Europe’s team in Ireland in 2027.
One of LIV’s most significant decisions was to extend tournament formats from 54 to 72 holes starting in 2026, moving tournaments to a traditional Thursday–Sunday schedule like the PGA and DP World Tours. Previously, LIV had 54-hole (three-day) events to differentiate itself, reflected even in its name, LIV, the Roman numeral for 54.
The PGA Tour also saw changes in 2025. NFL executive Brian Rolapp was appointed CEO, set to replace Jay Monahan as Commissioner at the end of 2026. The PGA Tour is restructuring leadership, with Rolapp also heading PGA Tour Enterprises, focusing on generating new revenue streams through media rights, marketing, and digital strategy.
The LPGA Tour appointed Craig Kessler, formerly of Topgolf, as its new Commissioner in May, succeeding Mollie Marcoux Samaa. Kessler’s appointment sparked debate about the absence of a female leader in women’s professional golf.
Additionally, the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in 2022 in partnership with the PGA Tour, entered its second season with a revised schedule extending play to Friday afternoons and Sundays, expanding from previously weekday-only matches. The indoor golf league combines traditional golf elements with innovative formats and includes PGA Tour players.