New Year. New you. New…PGA tour?
We’ll see That – plus nine other things, each in one sentence and in no particular order – as we take stock of professional golf heading into 2026.
1. Is the blade putter actually dead?
A few months after 2025’s breakout star Ben Griffin caught our attention Given the lack of blade putters among the PGA Tour’s putting elite (the entire top 10 in the OWGR used mallets in a recent audit), our antennas are primed for signs of life in the future.
2. Does LIV receive OWGR points?
World ranking points would take LIV to a new level of acceptance by the golf establishment; given the departure of Brooks Koepka, the changes in the format of the league and the ongoing questions about the future, that would be a significant victory.
3. What will Bryson DeChambeau do next?
Perhaps the biggest winner from Brooks Koepka’s departure from LIV was DeChambeau, whose influence leapt from sky-high to intergalactic; as the prince of YouTube Golf, he could demand a mega contract or take his future elsewhere.
4. How soon will the new PGA Tour schedule arrive?
This may be the biggest question of all, as the Tour is still the center of the professional golf universe; when will Brian Rolapp, Tiger Woods and the powers that be at Ponte Vedra release a schedule that (hopefully) clarifies and simplifies what it means to be a PGA Tour player, event And fan?
5. Where will the LPGA Tour find its star power?
After 2024 was the Year of Nelly and 2025 had a belated turn from the Year of Everyone to somewhat of the Year of Jeeno, the LPGA’s new leadership has doubled down on its product; will one of these two recent No. 1s take center stage, or will the LPGA’s next star come from elsewhere?
6. Are we about to get another Grand Slam winner?
We’re talking about Scottie Scheffler, who is just one Shinnecock US Open win away from all four – although a Jordan Spieth PGA would be something special (as would a Phil Mickelson US Open, not to mention a double major season from the likes of Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka or Dustin Johnson, who each own two).
7. What will be Rory McIlroy’s next act?
After a year in which he completed a Grand Slam career, won at iconic courses such as Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass, led his team to a Ryder Cup victory, won his home Irish Open, went to India and Australia and launched an investment fund, a production company and a golf league, what does McIlroy have in store for 2026 – and what story will his playing schedule tell us.
8. When – and how often – will we see Tiger Woods?
Will the now 50-year-old Woods serve as an administrator, tournament host, TGLer, Masters competitor, Champions Tour member, Golf Dad – or all of the above?
9. How is the DP World Tour going?
Everyone loves golf’s self-proclaimed ‘global tour’, which features some of golf’s great characters, some of golf’s great locations and some of golf’s storied tournaments – but it’s still not crystal clear where the DPWT fits alongside the PGA Tour and LIV, which compete for talent, attention, money and more.
#burning #questions #facing #pro #golf