LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan Resigns After Three Years

Samaan will step down in January; her contract ran through summer 2026.

LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan at the 2024 Chevron Championship. / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Mollie Marcoux Samaan is out as LPGA commissioner. 

The LPGA announced that Marcoux Samaan, who took over the position in 2021 for Mike Whan, will step down Jan. 9, 2025. 

Liz Moore, the LPGA’s chief legal and technology officer, has been named the tour’s interim commissioner as it searches for a permanent replacement. 

“On behalf of the LPGA Board, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mollie for her exceptional dedication and passion in advancing the Association's reach and impact," LPGA Board Chair John B. Veihmeyer said. “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. 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.”

Marcoux Samaan's contract ran through summer 2026.

Under her leadership, prize funds on tour grew 90% and a record $131 million will be shelled out next season over 33 official events. She also helped introduce missed-cut stipends, domestic travel stipends, mental health and physical performance resources and fully-subsidized healthcare insurance. 

Her tenure, though, also came with criticism. 

This season, there was the shuttle bus debacle at the Solheim Cup, which Marcoux Samaan assumed responsibility for. Controversies in recent years have also included a lack of private locker room space at the HGV Tournament of Champions and Terry Duffy, CEO and chairman of CME Group, which sponsors the tour’s $11 million season-ending championship, lambasting Marcoux Samaan in 2022 for limited player attendance at the company’s season-ending dinner. 

On the contrary, Duffy recently told Golfweek, “I don’t know how you could not give A++ to where the tour is at today under (Marcoux Samaan’s) leadership.” 

At the LPGA's season-ending event last week, Marcoux Samaan brushed off criticism while saying in her annual state-of-the-tour address, “it’s a hard job.” 

Marcoux Samaan, who was previously Princeton University’s athletic director, was the LPGA’s ninth commissioner.