The LPGA’s 75th anniversary is supposed to be a celebration of its remarkable history, the stars that have shaped the tour, and a future that’s filled with promise. Instead, the spotlight has shifted to an all-too-familiar feeling of déjà vu following the sudden departure of Commissioner Mollie Marcoux on January 9, 2025.
For many, Marcoux’s exit is a reminder of what happened just a few years ago when she first took on the role. Back then, the LPGA brought in an outsider to lead, and Marcoux, though impressive in her previous role as Princeton’s athletic director, had no prior golf experience. And like any outsider who is entirely new to the niche, her first year on the job was far from smooth, and it took nearly 12 months of what Amy Rogers called a “listening and learning” period to truly get used to the intricacies of the tour.
Now, as the LPGA looks forward to recruiting a new face in her place, Golf Channel journalist Amy Rogers raises concern that the tour could be facing a similar period of uncertainty that may hinder the process of bringing everything to square one. “Looks like there’s three people that are returning that were part of the committee that actually selected Marcuse-Simon. They will be back now to help find her replacement,” said Rogers.
She pointed out that the committee is still relying on the same approach, which could mean another lengthy search for someone outside of the golf world. If that happens, we could be looking at the same drawn-out process that left the LPGA without steady leadership for nearly a year the first time around.
While it’s understandable that the LPGA won’t leave any stone unturned looking for the right candidate, history speaks otherwise. If the process drags on, it could limit the momentum the LPGA has worked so hard to build. That’s why there’s pressure to act quickly this time around. The LPGA cannot afford to wait another year for a smooth transition, especially when there’s so much riding on the next few months.
One potential solution is Liz Moore, the current interim commissioner. Moore already understands the inner workings of the LPGA, and her experience with the tour makes her an ideal candidate for the role. If the committee chooses her or another in-house candidate, the process could be far more efficient than when Marcoux was hired from outside the golf world.
How did LPGA function during Mollie Marcoux’s tenure?
Mollie Marcoux’s time as LPGA Commissioner had its fair share of ups and downs. On the positive side, purses saw impressive growth, especially since 2021, with major championships driving much of that increase. The average income for the top 100 players also jumped from $575,000 to over $1 million in just three years, thanks in part to an $11 million purse at the CME Group Tour Championship.
Marcoux also introduced two major player-friendly initiatives: fully subsidized healthcare and an extra $8 million in travel stipends. Both were much appreciated, but her tenure wasn’t without its challenges. She struggled with communication, often failing to clearly articulate her vision for the LPGA, and wasn’t a standout figure in leadership meetings. This became more apparent during the 2024 Solheim Cup transportation fiasco, which made it seem like the LPGA lacked control over its own events.
As the year ended, questions arose about whether the LPGA had capitalized enough on its American star, Nelly Korda, or success stories like Lydia Ko’s Olympic gold and Thitikul’s $4 million win. Sponsorships also became an issue, with Cognizant pulling out and the Founders Cup left without a sponsor. The long-standing LPGA event near Toledo, Ohio, was also discontinued.
Marcoux’s reluctance to tackle hot-button issues like the LPGA’s gender policy, potential mergers with the Ladies European Tour, and its relationship with Golf Saudi left a sense of uncertainty hanging over her leadership.
Now that Marcoux has stepped down, it’s time for the LPGA to tackle what’s been left undone. The clock’s ticking, and the next commissioner has some big shoes to fill.
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