A quiet Monday in the golf world was shaken up with a late-morning news dump.
LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan is stepping down as of Jan. 9, 2025. Liz Moore, the LPGA’s Chief Legal and Technology Officer and Corporate Secretary, will assume the role of Interim Commissioner.
Marcoux Samaan, the tour’s ninth commissioner, was hired in May 2021 to replace the now-current USGA CEO Mike Whan. Her five-year contract ran until the summer of 2026.
Now, the largest professional women’s tour is looking for new leadership at a time when women’s sports across the United States are at an all-time high in terms of viewership, fan interest and engagement.
As news of Samaan’s decision spread on social media, fans and others chimed in with their thoughts.
Here’s what social media had to say about the LPGA’s commissioner calling it quits.:
As expected. Bummed it didn’t work out – I like Mollie and think she meant well. Tough gig on many different fronts. https://t.co/YhRZeRKpn2
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) December 2, 2024
Big news here, LPGA is getting a new commissioner. Felt like the Solheim Cup debacle was the last straw… https://t.co/nMnrtSBqHM
— Paolo Uggetti (@PaoloUggetti) December 2, 2024
Great news, this is the perfect chance for the LPGA to get the right person in & make the correct changes to finally start getting them the coverage they deserve
— Finlay
(@Finlay_Rufc5) December 2, 2024
Significant
— Luke Elvy (@Luke_Elvy) December 2, 2024
Good. Need someone competent in there
— Matt Miller (@MattyMillz85) December 2, 2024
Can she take Jay Monahan with her?
— FactoryOfSadnessAgainIn2024 (@MankowaWayne) December 2, 2024
Good. She has done nothing to help the LPGA!
— Bill (@bbanny) December 2, 2024
I’m a big LPGA fan, and IMO the next commissioner has a huge opportunity to build on the investments in women’s sports leagues. It’s in no way simple. The great news is the potential is clear to an outstanding candidate.
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) December 2, 2024