Who could be the LPGA’s next commissioner? Here are six speculative names (and a wildcard)

With news breaking on Monday that LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan is stepping down after 3 1/2 years, it’s natural to start looking ahead to who might fill the post. Marcoux Samaan, whose last day will be Jan. 9, was the ninth commissioner in LPGA history and the second woman to hold the job.

The LPGA’s Board of Directors will work with an executive search firm to conduct a global search for the organization’s next commissioner.

It’s possible that a number of candidates that have shown a previous interest would take another stab, but hopefully some new names emerge, too. Could it be time for an LPGA player to take the reins?

Nichols: A closer look at the rocky tenure of commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan

Here’s an early, early list of potential industry leaders who could be in the mix, including the woman selected to serve as Interim Commissioner:

Alex Baldwin

Korn Ferry Tour president Alex Baldwin was on the short list during the last search but ultimately took her name out of the race, staying committed to her role at the PGA Tour. In January of 2019, Baldwin made history as the first female to lead one of the PGA Tour’s global tours as president.

Prior to joining the PGA Tour in 2017 as Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, Baldwin was a Corporate Consulting Executive at CAA Sports in Jacksonville Beach. Before that she worked with Boston-based Fenway Sports Management and IMG as a player agent, representing Karrie Webb and Suzann Pettersen.

Ricki Lasky

A fixture of LPGA leadership for the past decade, Lasky currently serves as Chief Tour Business and Operations Officer. Prior to that, she held leadership positions at RSM and Pinehurst Championship Management.

Stacy Lewis

Two-time Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis has previously expressed an interest in the job. Whether or not that time is now remains to be seen, but when it comes to a deep understanding of tour operations and big-picture thinking, no other current player comes close.

A former World No. 1 and two-time major champion, Lewis double-majored in accounting and finance at Arkansas. The tour has never had a player in the role.

Liz Moore

Moore, who will be at the helm as interim commissioner after Marcoux Samaan’s departure, has been at the LPGA since 2014. She currently serves as the tour’s Chief Legal and Technology Officer and Corporate Secretary and chairs the Ladies European Tour joint venture board. She’s also the primary liaison to the LPGA’s international business offices in Europe and Asia.

Mike Nichols

Nichols spent 16 years at the LPGA before joining Group 1001 as its Chief of Sponsorship Strategy & Activation. He joined the LPGA in 2006 and served as vice president of tournament business affairs with oversight of the LPGA schedule until being named chief business officer of what was then known as the Symetra Tour in July 2012.

As part of his current role at Group 1001, Nichols oversees Gainbridge’s title sponsorship with the LPGA and its partnership with brand ambassadors, including Caitlin Clark and Annika Sorenstam.

Jon Podany

Currently the USGA’s chief commercial officer, Podany held the same post at the LPGA as well under the leadership of Mike Whan. Prior to his nearly nine years with the LPGA, Podany spent 15 years at the PGA Tour in business development. Podany also held a brief stint as CEO and President of Arnold Palmer Enterprises, Inc. The well-respected industry veteran has made a run at the LPGA’s top job before and could give it another shot.

Long shot: Seth Waugh

After a six-year stint as PGA of America CEO, could Waugh possibly be interested in leading another golf organization? The former Deutsche Bank Americas CEO helped mold the KPMG Women’s PGA into a strong pillar of the women’s game. While at Deutsche Bank, he championed the annual Women on Wall Street conference. Waugh and R&A CEO Martin Slumbers were recently honored with the LPGA’s Commissioner’s Award.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Who could be the LPGA’s next commissioner? Here are six speculative names (and a wildcard)