After Rory McIlroy won the Masters and Europe retained the Ryder Cup in 2025, here are the potentially big stories in golf this year
Last season was one of the greatest years in golf. Rory McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam at the Masters and Europe retained the Ryder Cup on US soil. There were also two more Majors for Scottie Scheffler and a first PGA Tour title – at the 164th attempt – for Tommy Fleetwood.
And then just before Christmas, Brooks Koepka made the shock announcement that he was leaving LIV Golf.
Now 2026 promises more drama. McIlroy starts the Major season with the defence of his Green Jacket in Augusta and the Open will be held at Royal Birdkdale. Here are the potentially big news stories in 2026:
READ MORE: Tiger Woods turns 50: History making career, Elvis comparison and return storyREAD MORE: LIV Golf bosses handed timely boost days after Brooks Koepka quit bombshell
Scheffler can follow McIlroy
Rory McIlroy became only the sixth man – and the first European – to lift all four Majors when he won the Masters in April. But world No.1 Scottie Scheffler then won the US PGA and won his third different Major at the Open at Royal Portrush.
McIlroy won his fourth leg at his 11th attempt at Augusta after winning the 2014 Open. Scheffler will aim to do it immediately at his home Open at Shinnecock Hills in June. Phil Mickelson, now 55. also just needs the US Open to complete his full set while Jordan Spieth, who won his third and last Major at the 2017 Open, still needs the US PGA for his career Grand Slam.
Big year for LIV Golf
The Saudi-backed league and the PGA Tour have failed to reach a permanent settlement so both tours are planning for life on their own. LIV Golf events will switch to 72 holes and the regular field size will increase to 57.
But the loss of five-time Major winner Koepka is a big blow although it is not yet clear where the five-time winner will play in 2026. He might have to serve a ban before returning to the PGA Tour.
Now LIV Golf have to secure the future of Bryson DeChambeau – the only other LIV player to win a Major since 2022 – and other big names.
More European Major success
The European Ryder Cup team won away for the first time since 2012 and the stars can now take that confidence into the Major season. Bob McIntyre finished second at the US Open in 2025 and left-handers traditionally fare well at Augusta National. And Ludvig Aberg has finished second and seventh in his first two appearances at the Masters.
But the biggest story would be Southport’s Fleetwood, Europe’s top points scorer at Bethpage Black, winning his home Open at Royal Birkdale.
Rahm and Hatton learn their fate
Two of Europe’s heroes played on Long Island while appealing bans and fines imposed in 2024 for joining LIV at the start of the season. It has been a convenient delay but the verdict cannot be put off forever. From January 1, LIV Golf will no longer pay the fines of their players.
So if the pair lose – and the Tour won a lengthy legal battle against Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood in 2023 – they would have to pay big fines to stay members and eligible to play in the Ryder Cup. Rahm has stated he will not pay on a point of principle.
Woods to return to centre stage on and off the course
The 15-time Major winner has undergone three more operations since his last tournament at the 2024 Open. But the world No.2563 is now back in training and after turning 50 on December 30, he and is now eligible for the Seniors Tour.
Woods could complete a Grand Slam of US titles by winning the US Senior Open in July as well as making appearances on the PGA Tour, with a return at his Genesis Open in February a possibility.
Behind the scenes, Woods now heads up the PGA Tour Future Competition Committee charged with producing a new streamlined tour for the 2027 season.
Woods is expected to finally captain the US Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor – owned by his friend JP McManus – in 2027 and the announcement would be made in 2026. But speaking before his Hero World Challenge at the start of December, the American claimed: “No one’s asked me about it.”
