2025 was a landmark year for golf, with Rory McIlroy completing his career Grand Slam at the Masters and Europe retaining the Ryder Cup on US soil. Scottie Scheffler added two more Majors, and Tommy Fleetwood claimed his first PGA Tour title. Now, 2026 promises further drama, including the defence of McIlroy's Green Jacket and the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who won the US PGA and the Open last year, will aim to complete his own career Grand Slam at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth also have opportunities to fill the missing Major on their résumés.
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf faces a pivotal year after Brooks Koepka's shock departure. The league will switch to 72-hole events and increase field sizes to 57, but must secure the future of Bryson DeChambeau and other stars. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm and a fellow European are appealing bans and fines, with LIV ceasing to pay penalties from January 1.
Europe's Ryder Cup heroes, buoyed by their victory at Bethpage Black, will look for individual Major success. Bob McIntyre, who finished second at the US Open, and Ludvig Aberg, a two-time Masters contender, are ones to watch. The biggest story would be Southport's Tommy Fleetwood winning his home Open at Royal Birkdale.
Tiger Woods, now 50 and eligible for the Seniors Tour, is back in training after three further operations. He could return at the Genesis Open in February and target the US Senior Open. Woods also heads the PGA Tour's Future Competition Committee and is expected to be named US Ryder Cup captain for 2027, though he says no one has asked him.
