After a historic 2024 season that saw the LPGA award record purse sizes, Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan is stepping down.
Her last day will be Jan. 9, 2025, roughly 18 months before her contract expires in the summer of 2026.
“I am proud of the unprecedented growth the LPGA has enjoyed since I began my tenure. The strategy we have built for growth and impact, along with the infrastructure we have added to capitalize on the tremendous opportunity ahead, will serve the LPGA well in the coming decades,” Marcoux Samaan said in a statement.
“It’s time for me to have more time to cheer on our three amazing children as they live their dreams while I continue to pursue my passion for building leaders, uniting communities, and creating value through sports, particularly women’s sports.”
Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek initially delivered the bombshell report on Monday morning.
The LPGA hired Marcoux Samaan in the spring of 2021 to replace Mike Whan, who now serves as the CEO of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Since taking over the reins of the LPGA, Marcoux Samaan has helped grow tournament purses by nearly 90%, with the five major championships doubling their winnings alone.
Just last week, Jeeno Thitikul, who won the season-long Aon Risk Reward Challenge and the $1 million that came with it, went on to capture the CME Group Tour Championship. Her victory in Southwest Florida awarded her an additional $4 million, the largest first-place check ever handed out in the history of women’s sports.
Yet, the LPGA faced plenty of issues this season.
The Solheim Cup transportation disaster comes to mind. The first day of this biennial competition—arguably the biggest event in women’s golf—was marred by long lines, a shortage of buses, and a lack of infrastructure. These issues turned frustrated fans away from the course, as many had no choice but to go home feeling disappointed. Consequently, the stands surrounding the opening tee came nowhere near reaching full capacity.
The other stain on the tour has been the slow pace of play, which has frustrated top stars such as Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, and Lexi Thompson. Some rounds have taken nearly six hours, leaving fans on the ground—and those watching on television—agitated.
In addition, the LPGA has seen a few title sponsors pull away from key tournaments, with Congizant coming to mind. The LPGA does not have a sponsor for the Founders Cup, which Cognizant sponsored last season. Perhaps the rising purse sizes have led to this unfortunate reality.
Its annual stop in Bradenton, Florida, which will serve as the second event of the 2025 season, also does not have a title sponsor.
These are all pertinent issues the next commissioner will have to face.
For now, Liz Moore will serve as interim commissioner of the LPGA. She has led the legal and technology teams at the LPGA for over a decade.
An outside firm is already leading a search for a new commissioner.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
