Joel Beall

2 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Joel Beall

The LPGA Board of Directors has appointed Craig Kessler, former chief operating officer of the PGA of America, as the new LPGA Tour commissioner, concluding a comprehensive search process that began after Mollie Marcoux Samaan's resignation announcement in late 2024. Kessler, 39, brings extensive leadership experience across golf and retail sectors to the role. At the PGA of America, he oversaw operations for the 31,000-member organization, including its non-profit initiatives.

2 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Joel Beall

CHARLOTTE — What PGA Tour officials believed was one of their greatest assets in their battle against LIV Golf continues to be weaponized against them. Unless a secret deal was struck by President Trump in Saudi Arabia last week, professional golf barrels towards its fourth summer as a divided sport. Since the collapse of White House-brokered negotiations in February, the PGA Tour's insistence on dictating terms reveals its confidence in its position.

2 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Joel Beall

CHARLOTTE — They faltered, one by one: the underdogs, the rank-and-file competitors, and those obscure names you had to Google just to verify their identities. They might claim they were defeated by the course's brutal closing stretch, the fierce competition, or the crushing pressure of what was at stake—and perhaps there's something in each explanation. But in truth, none of that mattered.

2 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Joel Beall

CHARLOTTE — Quail Hollow should have been a victory lap for Rory McIlroy. He was finally unburned by the quest to show he could still be the player he once was, the career Grand Slam had been completed. Freed up from the existential weight, he could attack a course where he’s enjoyed historical success. That was the belief, at least. Instead, a curious performance—both on and off the course—have ushered in new questions.

3 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Joel Beall

CHARLOTTE — It's premature to declare this tournament over. There’s one round remaining, a half-dozen players in the hunt, three closing holes that can wreck a golfer’s scorecard and psyche. All the ingredients necessary to bake something special on Sunday in Charlotte. Yet that framing feels disingenuous after what we just witnessed. Because in a span of 40 minutes, a man went from two down to three ahead of the field.