Episode 204: Craig Kessler & the LPGA’s Future

About this episode

Craig Kessler discusses his vision for the LPGA and the significance of its new broadcast deal.

The LPGA’s new commissioner has big plans. On the latest TGJ Podcast, Tom Coyne sits down with Craig Kessler—a 40-year-old Harvard Business School grad whose career took him from private equity to Topgolf to the PGA of America before he was tapped to lead the LPGA last year. In this wide-ranging conversation, Kessler breaks down the broadcast deal that will put every LPGA round on live television for the first time in its history and shares why he's so excited about the tour's future. He also reflects on what he's learned about building trust with the players, staying in love with golf when it becomes your job and why harmony across women's golf matters more than competition. Kessler’s mission is clear: make the LPGA impossible to ignore. The Golfer's Journal and this podcast are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT The Golfer’s Journal Podcast is presented by Titleist.

People in this episode

Host: Tom Coyne

Guest: Craig Kessler

Topics covered

• LPGA
• golf
• broadcast deal
• women's sports
• trust building
• future of golf

Keywords

• LPGA
• Craig Kessler
• golf
• broadcast deal
• women's golf
• Topgolf
• PGA of America

Sponsors

Titleist

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LPGA, Topgolf, PGA of America

More episodes of The Golfer's Journal Podcast

• Episode 212: Jimmy Dunne’s Guide to Shinnecock · June 11, 2026 · 57 min
• Episode 211: Taylor Twellman Previews the World Cup and Shinnecock · June 3, 2026 · 49 min
• Episode 210: Jimmy Roberts Has A Story For You · May 21, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Episode 209: How To Win At Aronimink · May 7, 2026 · 56 min
• Episode 208: Quiet, Please · April 27, 2026 · 38 min
• Episode 207: Ludvig Åberg Breaks Down Every Hole at Augusta National · April 3, 2026 · 1h 13m