Whispers around the LPGA are getting louder. With the pressure mounting for change, all eyes are shifting toward two figures who could shape the Tour’s future, one on the course, one off it. For one, Nelly Korda, the world No. 1, has often been positioned as a key figure. Both former commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan and veteran player Stacy Lewis have hinted that Nelly could help elevate the LPGA beyond the fairways. Nelly’s influence off the course through media and fan engagement could be just as valuable for the Tour’s growth. But Korda largely sticks to her game, as “she doesn’t want to be the center of attention for anything other than her golf.” Basically, Korda rarely steps outside her lane to take on the promotional spotlight. And that’s when Craig Kessler, the new LPGA Commissioner, stepped in not to talk about change, but to show the entire LPGA what it looks like.

On The Mixed Bag Podcast, host Karen Stupples shared how Craig sprang into action when Lottie Woad led a crucial tournament moment that could be historic. Craig made the most of a big opportunity during the ISPS Handa Scottish Open. On Friday, when Woad was in the lead, Craig quickly reached out to the Vice President of NBC Golf to boost the event’s visibility. It was a fast, proactive move that showed Kessler’s hands-on approach. Even though the request came on short notice, NBC’s response was surprisingly positive and ready to support.

“Something historic was going to happen, and we wanted to be live for it. I really appreciate Craig’s approach, and I enjoy doing business with him. We have a pre-existing relationship with PGA, so there’s a familiarity.” said Tom Knapp, the Executive Vice President, Golf. Given NBC’s strong, ongoing relationship with golf, Tom and his team were ready to act fast. By Saturday, as the final round was nearing the end, they agreed to put Lottie’s finish live on NBC so fans wouldn’t miss a moment of what could be a game-changing finish.

Tom appreciated Craig’s approach and said it was great working with someone who moves quickly and decisively. He mentioned that opportunities like this don’t come around often, which is true, but when they do, you have to be ready to jump on them. This is true. Lottie closed out on a dream professional start and became the third LPGA professional to win her debut tournament.

Kessler was the chief operating officer at the PGA of America for more than two years. The connections he made there seem to be working well in the LPGA’s favor. From the day he was announced as the LPGA commissioner, he had very strategic plans for the tour. “I don’t think this is one of those opportunities where we start with 100 days of listening. It’s time to explode out of the gates,” Kessler said. He doesn’t plan to spend a long time just listening. Instead, he wants to make quick, bold moves, which he indeed has done. As a true professional, he didn’t miss the chance to express his gratitude to NBC.

“With Lottie in the lead… we knew we had something special. Huge thanks to Tom and our partners at NBC Golf for working quickly to make sure fans have another way to watch the finish,” said Craig Kessler. Viewership has been a challenge for the LPGA lately, and Craig sees moments like this as the key to fixing that problem. Getting that finish live on TV was huge; it gave fans the chance to cheer on a rising star and showed exactly how the LPGA is stepping up its game. 

While Commissioner Craig Kessler is driving change at the top, it’s the players on the ground who truly feel the pressure. While viewership is an issue, the LPGA’s grueling schedule is also a major problem.

Jessica Korda Opens Up About the Toll of the LPGA’s Grueling Schedule

Jessica Korda is still on break from competitive golf, but watches every move of the Tour. She has been very open about how the LPGA’s busy schedule affects players physically and mentally. She said, “Yeah, I mean, fatigue plays a huge role, right? If you’re tired and whatever, your whole body feels it.” Korda described stretches where the LPGA Tour moves quickly from one event to another across the country. 

“There were times when we were playing an event in Jersey, and we had a major the following week in Seattle…we were literally like What’s going on?” she said, clearly showing the real challenges players face with constant travel and little recovery time. This nonstop pace can lead to injuries and burnout, which not only harms the players but also affects their performance during important tournaments. Korda’s honest perspective sheds light on why fixing the schedule is so critical for the health and success of the LPGA.

With fresh leadership and honest player insights driving change, the LPGA is beginning to reshape its future, building a stronger, more sustainable tour for everyone involved.