The late-November Global Golf Report highlights major results and strategic positioning across the world tours as all circuits prepare for 2026. Sami Välimäki’s breakthrough at The RSM Classic delivered the first PGA Tour title of his career, granting him full exempt status through 2027 and entry into the 2026 Masters. On the LPGA Tour, Jeeno Thitikul’s dominant win at the CME Group Tour Championship capped a record-setting season and emphasized the tour’s rising commercial strength.
Across the global landscape, tours are adjusting formats, strengthening commercial foundations, and upgrading broadcast technology. A central storyline remains LIV Golf’s structural overhaul and its continuing pursuit of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) eligibility. For 2026, LIV confirmed a shift to 72-hole events and the addition of more qualifying spots—changes designed to answer prior OWGR objections. Despite these moves, the OWGR board, led by Trevor Immelman, still cites LIV’s closed format and team structure as core hurdles. Several LIV stars retain major exemptions, but many others risk losing access without ranking points.
The LPGA Tour enters 2026 with momentum. Its season finale featured an $11 million purse and the largest winner’s payout in women’s golf history. A new broadcast agreement with FM, Golf Channel, and Trackman will quadruple shot-tracing and increase camera coverage by 50%, positioning the tour at the forefront of televised innovation.
The DP World Tour secured long-term commercial stability by extending its title partnership with DP World through 2030—the biggest agreement in its history. Operationally, the tour showed renewed flexibility as Henrik Stenson announced selected appearances for 2026 following his period with LIV.
The PGA Tour finalized its 2026 lineup through the FedExCup Fall series. Välimäki’s win propelled him into the OWGR top 50, while rookies such as Michael Brennan and Ricky Castillo strengthened their positions. Commercially, the tour added a new Austin event for October 2025 with Good Good as title sponsor, blending influencer culture with traditional competition. Ongoing debates continue regarding field sizes in Signature Events.
Other tours also made targeted adjustments. The Asian Tour introduced qualifying refinements; the Japanese Tour highlighted new regional talent; senior circuits discussed modest format updates. Though activity was limited, these shifts reflect broader global realignment.
Business developments remained significant. Callaway sold a 60% stake in Topgolf to Leonard Green & Partners, unwinding their 2020 merger. Equipment and tech partnerships expanded across tours, with Trackman deepening its role in both LPGA and LIV broadcast integrations.
Across all circuits, the strategic picture for 2026 is one of structural upgrades: LIV reshaping its format to pursue OWGR legitimacy, the LPGA investing heavily in broadcast modernisation, the DP World Tour securing commercial longevity, and the PGA Tour expanding and refining its competitive framework. Together, these moves set the stage for a season defined by operational evolution, commercial innovation, and increasing pressure for global alignment.