Commissioner Molly Marcoux Samaan is stepping down after a historic 2024 season that set a record for LPGA awards purse size.
Her last day will be January 9, 2025, approximately 18 months until her contract expires in summer 2026.
“I am proud of the unprecedented growth the LPGA has achieved since I took over. I am proud of the strategies we have built for growth and impact and the infrastructure we have added to take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead. The structure will greatly benefit the LPGA in the coming decades,” Marcoux Samaan said in a statement.
“While I continue to pursue my passion for developing leaders, uniting communities, and creating value through sports, especially women's sports, I look forward to a time when I will have more time to support my three amazing children who are living their dreams. has arrived.”
Beth Ann Nichols golf week We originally distributed the bombshell report on Monday morning.
The LPGA hired Marcou Samaan in spring 2021 to replace Mike Wang, who currently serves as CEO of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Since taking over the reins of the LPGA, Marcou Samaan has helped increase tournament prize money by nearly 90%, doubling prize money in just five major championships.
Just last week, Gino Titicle won the CME Group Tour Championship after winning the in-season Aon Risk Rewards Challenge and the $1 million that comes with it. Her victory in Southwest Florida earned her an additional $4 million, the largest first-place check in women's sports history.
However, the LPGA faced many problems this season.
of Solheim Cup traffic accident comes to mind. The first day of the biennial tournament, perhaps the biggest event in women's golf, was marred by long lines, a lack of buses and a lack of infrastructure. These problems drove disgruntled fans away from the track, and many had no choice but to return home disappointed. As a result, the stands surrounding the opening teeing ground were far from full.
Another blight on the tour is the slow pace of play, which has frustrated top stars like Nelly Korda, Charlie Hull and Lexi Thompson. Some rounds lasted nearly six hours, leaving local fans and fans watching on TV upset.
Additionally, the LPGA has seen several title sponsors withdraw from major tournaments, with Conguizant's name being floated among them. The LPGA does not have a Founders Cup sponsor, which Cognizant sponsored last season. Perhaps the increasing size of wallets has led to this unfortunate reality.
The second tournament of the 2025 season, held annually in Bradenton, Florida, also does not have a title sponsor.
These are all relevant issues that the next commissioner will have to face.
For the time being, Liz Moore will serve as interim commissioner of the LPGA. She has led the LPGA's legal and technical teams for over 10 years.
An outside firm is already leading the search for a new commissioner.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
