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Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Writer
LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who helped the women’s professional golf tour reach unprecedented heights in popularity and purse sizes the past four years, will step down on Jan. 9, the tour announced Monday.
Liz Moore, the LPGA’s chief legal and technology officer, will serve as interim commissioner until a search for Samaan’s replacement is finalized.
“In this role, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable community of athletes, teachers, partners, tournament operators, industry colleagues, media, fans, volunteers, and staff who share a deep commitment to growing the LPGA and using the organization’s unique platform to empower and advance women and girls,” Marcoux Samaan said in a statement.
“I am proud of the unprecedented growth the LPGA has enjoyed since I began my tenure. The strategy we have built for growth and impact along with the infrastructure we have added to capitalize on the tremendous opportunity ahead will serve the LPGA well in the coming decades.”
Marcoux Samaan said she was stepping aside in part to “have more time to cheer on our three amazing children as they live their dreams.”
Marcoux Samaan’s final year as LPGA commissioner was marked by the circuit’s failure to get fans to the opening round of the Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, in September. Thousands of fans were left stranded at parking lots, causing many to miss the ceremonial opening tee shots.
At the time, Marcoux Samaan took responsibility for the failure.
“At the end of the day, I’m the leader of the organization and I have to own it,” Marcoux Samaan said.
During Marcoux Samaan’s tenure as the ninth LPGA commissioner, the tour’s prize fund increased by more than 90% and the average earnings for the top 100 golfers increased from about $570,000 in 2021 to more than $1 million this past season, the tour said in a news release.
Thanks to the popularity of world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda and others, the LPGA said it had record fan engagement this past season. But others criticized the LPGA for failing to take advantage of the rising popularity of women’s sports like the WNBA and other professional leagues have done recently.
At last month’s CME Tour Championship, Marcoux Samaan defended the job she’d done leading the tour.
“I focus every day on trying to support the athletes, to try to grow the tour, and to try to make this the best place in the world to play and to give additional opportunities to girls and women. So, I feel like the statistics really speak for themselves. I think we’re experiencing enormous growth. That’s really what my job is.”
Marcoux Samaan previously worked as Princeton’s athletic director. She replaced Mike Whan as LPGA commissioner; Whan is now CEO of the United States Golf Association.
“Since joining the LPGA in 2021, Mollie has been instrumental in solidifying our position as the global leader in women’s professional golf, realizing record growth in player earnings and fan engagement,” LPGA Board Chair John B. Veihmeyer said in a statement.
“Mollie has been a steadfast advocate for equity in the sport and has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women and girls through the game. I am confident that the LPGA is well-positioned for continued success as we build on the growth trajectory of the past three and a half years of Mollie’s leadership. We deeply appreciate the lasting impact of Mollie’s many contributions.”
