Tune in weekly for unfiltered opinions as our writers and editors analyze the sport’s hottest topics. Also, join the conversation by tweeting @golf_com. This week, we discuss the most important golf numbers of the past 12 months, PGA Tour Q School drama, and more.
As we count down to the last day of 2025, let’s take a quick look back at 2025. Who are the most important golf figures of 2025?
Jack Hirsh, Deputy Equipment Editor (@JR_HIRSHey): important? I think it has to be the new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolup and the new LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler. Both require fresh ideas and new perspectives, and both take on significant legacy assets. Already, we’re hearing talk of major changes to the PGA Tour’s schedule as early as 2027. Like it or not, it’s clear the Tour is looking for something to solve LIV Golf’s problems. Kessler’s new television deal with the LPGA appears to have the potential to help the tour ride a new wave of interest in women’s sports around the world. There are certainly more important names in golf today, but perhaps none are under more pressure to achieve their goals in 2026 than these two.
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Zephyr Melton, Game Improvement Associate Editor (@zephyrmelton): Jack explained it well, but I’ll go ahead and make sure to mention Tiger Woods. Tiger’s popularity as a sport continues to ebb and flow, as evidenced by the amount of media coverage he received after posting videos of his swings. His competitive career may be over, but his influence on the game remains unparalleled.
Josh Sens, Senior Writer (@JoshSens): Good answer above. To them I’d add Rory McIlroy, who provided some of the most compelling entertainment this year at both the Masters and Ryder Cup. And Tommy Fleetwood for providing the best feel-good story. But it’s more about instilling interest than importance. Beyond these players, several non-traditional golf figures come to mind, especially now that golf is increasingly pushing beyond its old limits. Caitlin Clark is addicted to golf. LeBron James goes viral with every swing he posts online. And while I’d rather get a root canal done than watch a bunch of “influencers” do it, it’s clear that people are interested, as we saw with the success of the Internet Invitational. Welcome to the future, for better or worse.
And, although not mentioned above, a year from now, who will we be talking about in this space as the key players in 2026?
Hirsch: I think he’ll be like Jon Rahm. His prominence in the game seems to have diminished since moving to LIV, but he’s still playing pretty well and I think he’ll start to make a bigger impact in the majors. He hasn’t won since the 2023 Masters.
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melton: What about Brooks Koepka? Speaking of LIV, it has long been rumored that he wanted to terminate his contract with LIV in order to return to the PGA Tour. Will 2026 be the year that LIV stars return to the tour? If so, BK is likely to be the first domino to fall.
sense: Bryson. His influence shows no signs of waning.
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Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler at the 2025 Hero World Challenge.
Five players earned their 2026 Tour cards through the PGA Tour Q School held at TPC Sawgrass on Sunday. Which result, good or bad, impressed you the most?
Hirsch: It’s sad to see Camilo Villegas, one of the greats on tour, so close to the playoffs to remain a full participant on tour. He’ll still be around as a former winner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a former winner clinging to fringe status was exactly the goal of reducing the number of exempt players from 125 to 100.
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melton: Alejandro Tosti returns to the Tour – and the content gods thank him.
sense: No. 18 Villegas’ last short mistake was painful. But it was touching to see him stick around to celebrate with his friend and compatriot Marcelo Lozo. Personally, I was rooting for Spencer Levin. He’s been around all this time, but he didn’t have his best stuff today.
Speaking of the aforementioned card changes for the Tour, are 5 Q-School cards enough or too few? Is Q-School still a big part of tour building?
Hirsch: Q School is absolutely necessary, especially now that Monday Q is gone. I think five tickets is a good number, especially considering the Korn Ferry Tour has been reduced to 20 tickets. Also, I like hard 5s instead of ties. Because the playoffs on the final PGA Tour card of the season like this year are pretty awesome. But I also want to use this space to note that Monday’s questions are still needed.
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melton:I want Q-School to release more cards. We always talk about “life-changing” weeks in professional golf, and no tournament is that more true than the final stage of Q School. The drama in this sport is unlike any other, which makes it one of the coolest weeks of the year.
sense: 5 feels about right. Removing the constraints only adds to the excitement. There’s nothing like a sudden-death playoff to conclude a four-day stress test.
Our own Josh Sens recently wrote about a golfer who broke the world record for most courses played in one year. What’s your number? And if you could choose one course you’ve already played that you would try for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
Hirsch: First of all, it’s a level of golf sickness that I’m not familiar with. Bravo! I don’t know which course I’ve played the most. Probably around 20. I think Zephyr has played a ridiculous number of courses over the years. If I had to choose one course, it would probably be Royal Dornoch. Links golf is undefeated.
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melton: I wish I had played half as much golf as my co-workers thought they were playing. In 2025, he only recorded 40 rounds. For most courses, it’s probably in the range of 30 courses or so. When you’re not in a club, diversity is the name of the game. As for one course for the rest of my life? Please give me some pasatiempo. Elite course. Elite atmosphere. Elite logo.
sense: I’m just guessing the annual numbers. Probably around 50? It was in my twenties when I waited tables at night and snuck off to Munich before my weekday shift. As for single courses, that’s a tough question. If there’s no perfect answer, it’s Cruden Bay. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun on a course.
The article “Tour Confidential: The Most Important Golf People of 2025” appeared first on Golf.
