Nelly Korda & Co. to Struggle More in 2025 as LPGA Faces the ‘Missing Piece’ That Once Plagued LIV Golf

Having a successful stance in mainstream media is something the world of golf has struggled with for years. Despite its dedicated fan base and high-profile tournaments, golf has often found itself relegated to the fringes of the sports media landscape. Now, as the LPGA embarks on its 2025 season with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the organization is also looking to resolve this issue and bring women’s golf to a wider audience. Well, it’s a problem that we know all too well, thanks to LIV Golf’s struggles to gain traction in the mainstream sports conversation.

In the latest YouTube episode by Golf Channel, Amy Rogers sat with the former LPGA’s commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who stepped down from the position on 9th January 2025. The conversation shed light on the LPGA’s ongoing struggle to achieve mainstream success. When asked what is that ‘missing piece’ to have the LPGA broaden its reach, bring in its brand, and awareness, and tap into that larger audience’? Mollie Marcoux Samaan noted, “We all thought [mainstream success] was going to happen with the success we saw from Nelly Korda this past season, and we just didn’t see it translate.” This raises the question: what’s holding the LPGA back from achieving widespread recognition?

The LPGA seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough moment, but Mollie Marcoux Samaan’s departure has left many feeling frustrated. As she pointed out, “You feel like any momentum that they might have had over these last few years was possibly lost… they’re kind of pressing pause at this critical moment.” This sentiment is echoed in the fact that the LPGA has been working to increase its visibility and appeal to a wider audience, but Samaan’s departure may have stalled this progress. She further emphasized, “It feels like the LPGA is on the precipice of having this breakthrough moment.” This breakthrough moment is crucial, as the LPGA needs to capitalize on its current momentum and build on the successes of players like Nelly Korda to achieve mainstream success.

Well, while the LPGA looks for ways to solve its ongoing issues, it appears the organization won’t get a break anytime soon. As Mollie Marcoux Samaan signs off, the question remains: who will be handling the LPGA Tour’s steering wheel?

Who’s at the helm for the LPGA’s 75th season?

Following Samaan’s departure after a three-year stint as commissioner, Liz Moore, the LPGA’s chief legal and technology officer, has taken the reins as interim commissioner. As the search for a permanent replacement continues, the LPGA is entering its 75th season in a precarious state. Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, who joined the LPGA in 1994, has seen the tour’s evolution through six commissioners and was recently asked what she would do if she was commissioner.

As per SI, Sorenstam emphasized the importance of communication and exposure, stating, “We all want to be seen and heard, whether that’s TV or any kind of exposure. The more the better.” World No. 1 Nelly Korda agreed, highlighting the need for “people investing in us and seeing our product.” However, Korda also expressed her desire for the incoming commissioner to revamp the tour’s scheduling, making it easier for players to travel and compete. Specifically, she suggested aligning events on the West Coast to reduce coast-to-coast travel in the US. Do you agree with what Korda said or do you have different opinions on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below!