‘Shining light’ Whan appointed USGA CEO

The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced on Wednesday that former LPGA commissioner Mike Whan will succeed Mike Davis as its new CEO, becoming the eighth top executive in the organization’s history.

Whan, 56, is expected officially to take over at the USGA this summer, giving him time to work with Davis in a transition period while enabling the LPGA to find his successor.

Davis, who announced last September his intention to step down in 2021 after 10 years at the helm of the USGA, will start a golf architecture firm.

“We had a ton of inbound interest, and we went through a pretty good process, but the shining light in all of that was Mike Whan,” USGA president Stu Francis said.

Whan announced in January that he was stepping down as LPGA chief after 11 years. During his 11 years, LPGA tournaments increased from 24 to 34, and total prize money increased from $41.4 million to $76.5 million.