PGA COO Craig Kessler, 39, named LPGA commissioner; ready to work with anyone who can ’elevate’ the tour The LPGA has found its new leader. Looking to capitalize on the explosion of interest in women’s sports, the organization announced Thursday that it has selected Craig Kessler as its next commissioner.
Kessler, who turns 40 next week, currently serves as the chief commercial officer of the PGA of America and had prior experience as the chief operating officer at Topgolf. He will leave his PGA of America post, which he has held since 2023, and officially step into the new role as the LPGA?s 10th commissioner on July 15. ?This isn?t just about leading a sports organization. It?s about redefining what?s possible,? Kessler said. ?This role is deeply personal to me, not just as a professional opportunity but as a chance to make a difference in the world and create new opportunities for others.? Kessler is succeeding Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who stepped down earlier this year after three years of mixed results. Longtime LPGA executive Liz Moore will continue to serve as interim commissioner for the next two months. ?We set out to find a transformational leader with a deep appreciation for the LPGA?s legacy and a clear vision of what?s possible for our future,? said John Veihmeyer, chairman of the LPGA board of directors. ?Craig is an inspiring and engaging leader, who brings a unique mix of executive leadership experience, deep relationships in the golf industry and a genuine commitment to elevating women and girls through golf. The LPGA has never been more dynamic - and Craig is exactly the right leader to drive its next era of growth and impact.?
Despite a historic season from Nelly Korda and resurgent performances from fan favorite Lydia Ko, the LPGA faces a number of financial headwinds this year after reportedly losing roughly $2 million in 2024. The tour also has several key executive positions to fill after Marcoux Samaan?s departure in January. Kessler, in a virtual interview with media Thursday, stated that the success of his tenure will be based on four pillars: building trust with players, increasing player visibility, building around fans and creating a financial future. When Marcoux Samaan took the position in 2021, she presented a vague “100-day plan,” beginning with a period of listening and learning. Kessler said he’s ready to hit the ground running. “Respectfully, there really isn’t time to go on a 100-day listening tour,” he said. “We have to come out of the blocks strong, and because of the several-month-long process I’ve been through, a lot of those patterns that have emerged will lead us down a path, and that path links back to the pillars described earlier.”
One specific area of concern is the LPGA’s global schedule. “I’ll tell you another theme that’s come up quite a bit is around schedule and optimizing the schedule so that it makes sense. It’s rational. It allows our athletes to perform at the highest levels and to recover as opposed to zigzagging the country or the world,” he said. When asked directly if the LPGA would be open to discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Kessler said, “Any organization that wants to elevate our athletes in the LPGA, I can’t wait to have a discussion with folks who are willing to do it.”
