No Laying Up - Golf Podcast 1115: LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler, LIV’s OWGR Update & Johnny Keefer
Feb 4, 2026
Craig Kessler, LPGA commissioner focused on tour operations and player safety, discusses weather decisions, communication and transparency. Johnny Keefer, rising PGA Tour player who climbed via Korn Ferry, shares his breakthrough, rookie routines, practice habits and tournament goals. They talk OWGR/LIV ranking fallout, Lake Nona weather choices, life on tour, and preparing for big events.
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Points Inflate Winners' Rankings
- Math shows LIV fields are substantially weaker per-player than PGA Tour events, inflating points for winners.
- A LIV win can equal a high PGA Tour finish even though the depth and field size differ greatly.
Top Players Gain More From LIV Format
- LIV points will be top-heavy, benefiting elite players who finish top-10 repeatedly.
- Moving LIV to 72 holes amplifies that effect by letting the cream rise more consistently.
LPGA Weather Call Regret
- Craig Kessler described planning for tough Orlando weather and hoped to finish 72 holes by Sunday.
- He admitted in hindsight the decision to start at 10 a.m. may have been wrong given hardened course conditions.