The most important golf numbers of 2025

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As we count down the final days of 2025, let’s take a quick moment to reflect on the year that was. Who were the most important golf figures of 2025?

Jack Hirsh, equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Important? I think it must be new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and new LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. Both have taken on legacy properties that are in dire need of fresh ideas and fresh perspective. We’re already hearing talk of massive changes to the PGA Tour schedule as early as 2027. Whether you like them or not, the Tour is clearly looking for something to put its LIV Golf woes to bed. With Kessler and the LPGA, a new television deal looks like it could be the spark to get the Tour riding this new wave of interest in women’s sports around the world. Of course there are more important names in the world of golf right now, but no one will be under more pressure to achieve their goals in 2026 than these two.

Zephyr Melton, Associate Game Improvement Editor (@zephyrmelton): Jack covered it well, but I’m going to go ahead and give Tiger Woods his obligatory mention. The sport’s popularity still rubs off on Tiger — as evidenced by the massive coverage when he posts a swinging video. His competitive career may be behind him, but his impact on the game remains unmatched.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@JoshSens): Good answers above. To those, I would add Rory McIlroy for providing the most compelling entertainment of the year at both the Masters and the Ryder Cup. And Tommy Fleetwood for the best feeling story. But this is more about piquing interest than relevance. Beyond these guys, some non-traditional golf figures come to mind, especially at a time when the game is increasingly stretching beyond its old boundaries. Caitlin Clark getting into golf. LeBron James goes viral with every beat posted online. And while I’d rather get a root canal than watch a bunch of “influencers” knock it off, it’s clear that people are interested, as we saw with the success of the Internet Invitational. Welcome to the future, for better or for worse.

And who – not mentioned above – can we talk about in this space a year from now as a key figure of 2026?

Hirsh: I think it will be someone like Jon Rahm. His in-game importance seems to have diminished since his move to LIV, but he’s still played pretty well and I think he’ll start to make more of an impact in the majors. He has yet to win one since the 2023 Masters.

Melton: What about Brooks Koepka? Speaking of LIV, he has long been rumored to want out of his deal with LIV in order to return to the PGA Tour. Could 2026 be the year we see the LIV star defect back to the Tour? If it is, BK will likely fall the first domino.

sense: Bryson. His influence shows no sign of slowing down.

Five players earned Tour cards for 2026 through the PGA Tour Q-School on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass. Which result – good or bad – stuck with you the most?

Hirsh: I’m sorry to see one of the tour’s big men, Camilo Villegas, go one shot before a playoff to retain full-game status on Tour. He’ll still be a former winner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if former winners depending on fringe status is exactly what shrinking the number of banned players from 125 to 100 is intended to be.

Melton: Alejandro Tosti is returning to the tournament – and the content gods thank him.

sense: Villegas’ missed shorty at 18 was painful. But it was touching to see him stick around to celebrate with his friend and compatriot Marcelo Rozo. Personally, I was rooting for Spencer Levin, who has been around and then some and just didn’t have his best stuff today.

Speaking of the aforementioned Tour card changes, are five cards from Q-School enough? Too little? And is Q-School still a key part of Tour construction?

Hirsh: We absolutely need Q-School, especially now that Monday Qs are gone. I think five is a good number, especially with the Korn Ferry Tour going down to 20 cards. I also like the tough five instead of ties because a playoff, like we got this year, for the last PGA Tour card of the season is pretty awesome. But I’d also like to use this space to mention that we still need Monday questions.

Melton: I would like to see Q-School release even more cards. We always talk about “life-changing” weeks in pro golf, but there’s no tournament where that’s truer than the Q-School Finals. of his drama is unlike anything else in sportsand that makes it one of the coolest weeks of the year.

sense: Five feels right. And eliminating links only adds to the excitement. Nothing like a sudden-death playoff to cap off a four-day stress test.

Our Josh Sens recently wrote about one golfer who just broke a world record for most courses played in a year. What is your number? And if you could pick one course you’ve already played to keep for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hirsh: First of all, this is a level of golf sickness I’m unfamiliar with. Well done! I have no idea what the most courses I’ve ever played are. Probably around 20. I’m sure Zephyr has played some unseemly courses these past couple of years. If I had to choose one course it would probably be Royal Dornoch. Links golf is unbeatable.

Melton: I wish I played half as much golf as my colleagues think I do. I only recorded 40 rounds in 2025! As for most courses, it’s likely to be in the range of 30 or more. When you don’t belong to a club, variety is the name of the game. How about a course for the rest of my life? Give me Pasatiempo. Elite course. An elite atmosphere. Elite logo.

sense: I would guess only an annual number. Maybe 50? There was a year in my 20s when I waited tables at night and sneaked out on muni tours before weekdays. As for a single course, difficult question. In the absence of a perfect answer: Cruden Bay. I don’t think I’ve ever had more fun on a course.