The LPGA Tour stands at a crossroads in 2025. Craig Kessler officially became the organization’s 10th commissioner on July 15, bringing fresh leadership during the tour’s milestone 75th anniversary year. Meanwhile, the organization faces ongoing challenges with television coverage inconsistencies and sponsor stability concerns. Additionally, new gender policies took effect this season, marking significant operational changes across the board.
However, Stacy Lewis dropped her own bombshell just hours after announcing her retirement on September 17, 2025. The two-time major champion immediately hinted at staying involved with the LPGA Tour in a completely different capacity. Furthermore, her media center interview at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship revealed strategic plans already taking shape behind the scenes.
Lewis wasted no time addressing her future during the post-retirement announcement interview. She openly discussed her extensive behind-the-scenes involvement over recent years. “The last I call it maybe four or five years, I’ve been pretty involved in what’s been going on behind the scenes at the tour,” Lewis explained confidently.
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Moreover, she detailed her comprehensive tour experience systematically. “I was on the LPGA board. I was part of the last commissioner search. I was doing all the things I was doing with Solheim Cup for call it almost four years,” she continued. Consequently, this involvement sparked her interest in the business operations. “I just I really I learned about the business side of the tour and it became more and more interesting to me,” Lewis revealed.
Nevertheless, Lewis remained strategically vague about specific opportunities ahead. “And so, I hope to continue to make an impact on this tour and I did it while I was playing,” she stated purposefully. She then emphasized her proven track record of bringing value. “I was able to help bring sponsors in and bring fans in and do it that way, but I want to continue to find ways to give back,” Lewis explained.
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Ultimately, she acknowledged the uncertainty while expressing clear intentions. Stacy Lewis Drops Big Hint About Future Role Hours After Shocking Retirement Announcement
she concluded. Her passionate commitment to continuing her impact resonated throughout the interview.
Stacy Lewis’s Proven Business Track Record Makes Her Executive Material
This business-minded approach reflects Lewis’s unique evolution from pure competitor to strategic operator. Her playing credentials certainly establish her golf expertise with 13 LPGA Tour victories and two major championships. She earned over $14.7 million throughout her career while spending 25 weeks as the world’s No. 1 player in 2013.
However, her business accomplishments truly distinguish her from typical player-to-executive transitions. Lewis’s participation in the commissioner search committee that selected Craig Kessler demonstrates her deep understanding of organizational leadership requirements. This direct involvement in selecting new leadership positioned her perfectly for potential collaboration opportunities.
Furthermore, Lewis consistently excelled at bridging player concerns with business operations throughout her career. Angela Stanford highlighted her sponsor recruitment prowess perfectly, noting that Lewis helped secure numerous deals because “she wouldn’t accept no for an answer.” Remarkably, six of Lewis’s personal sponsors eventually became title sponsors for LPGA events during her playing career.
Additionally, her Solheim Cup leadership experience spans nearly four years of team management responsibilities. She captained the U.S. team twice, achieving a tie in 2023 and victory in 2024. This extended leadership role enhanced her understanding of high-level sports management and international competition dynamics.
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Lewis’s retirement announcement stands as the only major LPGA star departure in September 2025, adding significance to her timing. Mike Whan, current USGA CEO and former LPGA commissioner, perfectly captured the sentiment surrounding her future potential. He wrote: “I’m not sure the words ‘retirement’ & Stacy really work together.”
The convergence of Lewis’s comprehensive business experience, proven sponsor relationships, and the tour’s transitional period creates ideal conditions for her next chapter. While no specific position awaits confirmation, her expressed commitment to continued impact suggests strategic opportunities ahead.