The LPGA tour “is not American enough.” This is what LPGA’s new commissioner, Craig Kessler, has heard multiple times. With American stars, like Nelly Korda, losing their dominance on the racks, many critics have argued that the tour’s biggest problem is that it has become too global. According to their perspective, the American fans would feel less connected if their native golfers aren’t consistently topping the leaderboards. In response, Kessler has decided to challenge the narrative, turning heads around.
Former World No. 1 Nelly Korda has lost her title to the Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul. But LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler is showing no signs of concern, despite the critics showering their takes on the matters. He believes that global reach is a strength and not something to fight against. The commissioner wants to double down on the international side of the tour, embracing global talent instead of retreating. “I say, ‘Well, hold on.’ If you look at most sports leagues in the United States today, they have one primary objective, and that is to figure out how to expand their fan base globally. That’s a massive asset. And so the question for us is, how do we lean into that?” Kessler said at SBJ’s 2025 Game Changers Conference.
This sentiment holds space for diversity and international expansion, instead of commercialising a sport. Kessler refuses to follow the story of American dominance, instead welcoming stories of other top talents regardless of language, ethnicity, or nationality. Kessler brings forward his argument for major circuits like the NBA or the NFL, noting their focus on expanding the reach of the sport.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With his statement, Kessler not only criticised the short-sightedness of the critics but also set an example for other commissioners of the sport, growing the sport while embracing cultural diversity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The story is still developing.