LPGA Commissioner Apologizes for Shortened Tournament

Players criticize decision to cut season-opening event short

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:23pm

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LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler apologized on Tuesday for the decision to shorten the season-opening Tournament of Champions event held over the weekend in Orlando, Florida. The tournament was cut short due to unspecified reasons, drawing criticism from players.

Why it matters

The Tournament of Champions is a marquee event that kicks off the LPGA season, so any disruptions or changes to the format can have a significant impact on players, fans, and the overall perception of the league.

The details

Kessler did not provide specific details on why the Tournament of Champions was shortened, but the decision drew criticism from LPGA players who were unhappy with the change to the established format of the event.

  • The Tournament of Champions was held over the weekend of February 1-4, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.
  • Kessler issued his apology on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Craig Kessler

The commissioner of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association).

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What they’re saying

“I'm sorry for how the Tournament of Champions was shortened this past weekend. We will learn from this experience and work to ensure our events run smoothly going forward.”

— Craig Kessler, LPGA Commissioner

What’s next

The LPGA has not announced any specific plans to address the issues that led to the Tournament of Champions being cut short, but the commissioner's apology suggests the league will review its procedures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

The takeaway

The LPGA's season-opening event is a crucial part of the golf calendar, and any disruptions to the established format can undermine player and fan confidence in the league. The commissioner's apology indicates the LPGA recognizes the need to ensure its marquee tournaments run as planned.