LPGA Announces Broadcast Changes Aimed at Increased Visibility,Players hail “Game-Changer”
DAYTONA BEACH,FL – The LPGA Tour is implementing meaningful changes to its broadcast strategy,aiming to dramatically increase visibility and fan engagement. The move, spearheaded by newly appointed Commissioner Craig Kessler, is being lauded by players as a crucial step forward for the tour.
The core of the change involves making broadcasts readily available, mirroring the approach of the PGA and DP World Tours. “I can just turn it on and itS live,” PGA Tour player Lee said, highlighting the importance of increased exposure for players.
Hall of Famer Lydia Ko, who has observed the LPGA’s challenges in reaching a wider audience for years, expressed strong support for the initiative. She emphasized that visibility and television coverage are key to elevating both the players and the sport itself. “I think it’s what the players and the Tour deserve,” Ko stated. “I do believe this will just grab more attention of some people that just have a hard time tracking things before.”
Ko further explained her personal experience, noting the difficulty in following tournaments and accessing data when not actively competing. “I think I’ve been in that position were I don’t play a tournament, and I kind of want to watch or see what happened or see some of the data, and it’s been an aspect that I felt like we could really improve on.”
The changes also include making ShotLink data more readily accessible, a feature players believe will be transformative. 2025 Evian champion Grace Kim added that expanded broadcast times, notably for international audiences, will be a significant boost. “I think we need all the exposure that we should be getting…To be able to have that connection to get it globally for a longer period of time I think is huge.”
Kessler, who officially became commissioner in July, has outlined four key pillars for the LPGA’s growth: trust, visibility, building a fan base, and securing a financial future. These broadcast changes represent a major step in achieving those goals.
ko acknowledged the rapid progress under Kessler’s leadership. “The last couple months have been a little bit of the fast-forward pace,and it’s been great to be part of that and to kind of see the growth from that perspective,” she said. “I think we’re growing as an institution and becoming-and having a much stronger foundation to the organization outside of just playing for more money.”
Ko expressed confidence in Kessler’s vision,stating,”I truly believe that Craig is going to take our tour to that next step,and I’m excited to be part of that.”
