Brian Rolapp Promises “Significant Changes” on the PGA Tour
In his first few weeks at the helm, the new PGA Tour CEO, Brian Rolapp, has promised a profound renovation of the current tour model. Rolapp, speaking to the media at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, announced the formation of a competition committee with the aim of designing the future of professional golf. This committee, composed of nine members, will be led by fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods. “The goal is a significant change,” stated Rolapp, emphasizing the intention of a comprehensive transformation.The committee’s mission is clear: to create the best professional golf competition model in the world, benefiting fans, players, and PGA Tour partners. A complete reevaluation of how the tour is competed will be sought. The committee will be governed by principles of fairness, scarcity, and simplicity. They will be given a “blank slate” to ensure that potential changes honor the traditions of golf without being overly limited by them, according to the PGA Tour. Among the committee’s objectives are to strengthen the tour’s commitment to a merit-based structure, increase fan participation by bringing together the best golfers more frequently, and better connect the regular season with the postseason. Rolapp, with previous experience in the NFL, highlighted the importance of constant innovation. “If there’s one thing I learned in the NFL, it’s that. We don’t stand still and we change the rules every March.” The committee will also include PGA Tour players Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Camilo Villegas, Maverick McNealy, and Keith Mitchell, along with other prominent figures. Rolapp explained that he chose Epstein for his experience in other sports, including baseball, where he has faced similar competitive challenges. Epstein, special consultant to MLB, was key in the introduction of the pitch clock and other changes to speed up the game. Rolapp emphasized the importance of the external perspective and its proper application. Despite the challenges, Rolapp is optimistic about the future of the PGA Tour. Rolapp has not spoken to anyone from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which financed the LIV Golf League. The PGA Tour and PIF signed a framework agreement to form an alliance in June 2023. The parties have yet to reach an agreement and haven’t spoken in months, according to sources. The PGA Tour announced on Tuesday that it will return to Trump National Doral in Miami next season for the first time since 2016, where a $20 million signature event will be held on the first weekend of May. When Rolapp was asked if reunification and reaching an agreement with PIF was a high priority, he said: “I think my main focus is going to be strengthening the tour, and blank sheet means blank sheet. Whatever does that, I will pursue it aggressively. That’s how I see it.” Rolapp, who spent 22 years working in the NFL and was considered by many as the eventual successor to commissioner Roger Goodell, was hired as the PGA Tour’s first CEO on June 17. The Masters winner, Rory McIlroy, spoke with Rolapp for approximately 90 minutes last week. “I like him a lot. I like that he doesn’t come from golf. I think he’s going to bring a new perspective to everything, and I think he wants to move pretty quickly, so I’m excited.”The committee is focused on shaping the next era of the PGA Tour.
Tiger Woods
