The PGA Tour Expands its Player Equity Program
The PGA Tour is expanding its Player Equity Program, aiming to reward current performance. This program, which has already surpassed one billion dollars in equity for more than 200 players, will include the top 50 in this year’s FedEx Cup. Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises, announced this expansion in a memorandum sent to the players on Thursday afternoon, one week before the late start of the 2026 season. The expansion was agreed upon after a players’ meeting at the Rocket Classic and was approved at the November board meeting. This measure will approximately double the number of players who will receive recurring grants this year.The equity program was announced almost two years ago, with the incorporation of Strategic Sports Group as a private investor, which initially committed $1.5 billion with the possibility of doubling the investment. The early stages of the program awarded $750 million in capital grants to 36 players based on their career performance, the last five years, and the Player Impact Program (PIP); $75 million to 64 players based on the last three years; $30 million to 57 PGA Tour members and $75 million to 36 past players who were instrumental in building the tour. The program included an additional $600 million in recurring capital grants for future PGA Tour players, which will be awarded in amounts of $100 million annually starting in 2025. The 2025 grants will be awarded in April, while the top 50 in this year’s FedEx Cup, whose list is finalized after the BMW Championship, will receive their grants in April 2027. The initial $930 million for 193 players is consolidated by 50% after four years, by 75% after six years, and in full after eight years. Recurring annual shares have a total consolidation after six years. The grants awarded to more than 20 players in 2025 were determined based on the last three years of career points, the career points earned last season, and the Player Impact Program. The latest PIP results have not yet been published. This brings the number to more than 213 PGA Tour members sharing about $1.3 billion in equity grants.“By expanding the Player Equity Program, we reaffirm our commitment to recognize competitive performance and ensure that more of our members have the opportunity to participate in the long-term success of the PGA Tour,” Rolapp wrote in the memo.
Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises
“The PGA Tour’s player ownership model stands out as an innovative approach, giving you the opportunity to benefit from the growth and success of the PGA Tour in ways that go beyond weekly earnings. In short, as the PGA Tour improves, so do you.” Rolapp did not offer concrete details about a renewed calendar that the Future Competition Committee is exploring. The topics under consideration include the potential for what he described as an “iconic start” to the season, the exploration of more major markets (the tour is not in New York, Chicago, or Boston on a regular basis), and the improvement of the meritocratic structure. Rolapp described the progress as exploratory, with no decisions having been made yet. He also sought to alleviate any concerns about one of its key pillars: scarcity, which has been interpreted as the possibility of fewer tournaments.“As the sports industry continues to evolve and attract significant investment, its ownership in the PGA Tour is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation,” wrote Rolapp.
Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises
“When we talk about scarcity, the goal is to make each event more important for fans, players, and partners, not to drastically reduce the total number of events, playing opportunities, or access,” Rolapp wrote. “The Committee is still exploring all options, and our priority is to create a schedule that maximizes participation and value for everyone involved.”
Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises
