DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – July 2, 2025 – In a move signaling deeper investment in the Asia-Pacific golf landscape, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has named seasoned sports executive Chris Madsen as Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Madsen will be responsible for spearheading the LPGA’s strategic growth and business operations across Asia-Pacific, encompassing event delivery, commercial partnerships, and long-term regional development.
A veteran of the international sports and entertainment sectors, Madsen’s appointment underscores the LPGA’s commitment to expanding its presence in one of golf’s most influential and fastest-growing markets. His resume spans leadership roles with global brands including Nike, Chelsea Football Club, and Eclat Media’s SpoTV, where he most recently led business development and regional initiatives in Southeast Asia.
At SpoTV, Madsen launched an innovative badminton platform and drove rebranding and commercial strategy. Before that, he served as Nike’s Sports Marketing Director for Southeast Asia and India, managing relationships with over 300 athletes, clubs and federations—while championing women’s sports as part of Nike’s regional brand campaigns.
Madsen also brings extensive football industry experience, having spent more than a decade at Chelsea Football Club, where he was Head of Region, APAC. There, he oversaw the club’s commercial partnerships and regional growth strategies. His career began in rugby, with a commercial development role at London Irish.
LPGA Interim Commissioner Liz Moore highlighted Madsen’s regional expertise:
“Asia is integral to the LPGA’s global identity—not only through the world-class athletes and tournaments based here, but also the many corporate partners who support our vision. Chris’s deep understanding of the Asia-Pacific landscape makes him the ideal leader to drive our continued expansion across the region.”
Madsen called his new role a “tremendous honor.”
“The LPGA is a global leader in women’s sport with a proud legacy of excellence,” he said. “I’m excited to help shape its future in one of its most dynamic and influential regions.”
The LPGA Tour is set to return to Asia in October with a five-event swing across four markets, headlined by the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown from October 23–26 in the Republic of Korea.
As Asia continues to serve as both a competitive stronghold and a commercial cornerstone for the women’s game, Madsen’s appointment positions the LPGA for sustained impact and innovation in the region.
