New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp Sends Strong Message to LIV Golf Regarding Reunification of Game

Brian Rolapp has been named as the new CEO of the PGA Tour and will take over the responsibilities of Jay Monahan once the Commissioner steps down in 2026.

New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp Sends Strong Message to LIV Golf Regarding Reunification of Game

Brian Rolapp (Image via PGA Tour)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The PGA Tour has a new head at the helm in the form of Brian Rolapp. In his first address as the new CEO of the Tour, he shared a strong message to LIV Golf regarding the topic of bringing the best players back on the tour and reunifying the game.

The world of golf got divided into two parts with the establishment of LIV Golf in 2021. Several top names of the PGA Tour would leave them and join the Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed league.

After two years of war and civil lawsuits against each other, the PGA Tour dropped a massive bombshell. In June 2023, outgoing PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan sat beside the PIF-governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and announced a golf merger that would reunify the sport and bring all the players under one tour.

During the Tour Championship press conference, Rolapp was asked whether he had any conversations with the PIF regarding the merger. The former NFL executive simply claimed that his focus has just been on the PGA Tour since his arrival three weeks ago.

I have not spoken to anyone from the Public Investment Fund. I’ve been here for three weeks, so my focus has obviously been on the TOUR and focusing on the TOUR and in learning and starting to develop a bit of a vision for the future.

Brian Rolapp told the reporters

When asked about LIV, Rolapp claimed that his primary focus was to strengthen the tour, and he would be aggressive in pursuing this. When he was asked about bringing players back to the tour, Rolapp claimed that the “best collection” of golfers was already on the PGA Tour, seemingly throwing an indirect shade at the PIF-backed tour.

I would offer to you that the best collection of golfers in the world are on the PGA Tour. I think there’s a bunch of metrics that demonstrate that, from rankings to viewership to whatever you want to pick. I’m going to lean into that and strengthen that.

Brian Rolapp said

Earlier this year, Monahan, along with Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, traveled to the White House and urged for help from U.S. President Donald Trump in getting the merger deal done. There would be some meetings between the two representatives in Washington.

However, as per Scott, there have not been any major developments in the talks since then. Before the Wyndham Championship, the former World No.1 urged others not to hold their breaths regarding this deal.

Brian Rolapp receives support from Rory McIlroy ahead of Tour Championship

With Jay Monahan set to step down from his post in 2026, the PGA Tour has introduced Brian Rolapp as its new leader. In a short amount of time, the ex-NFL executive seems to have won over several talents, including Rory McIlroy.

Brian Rolapp and Rory McIlroy
Brian Rolapp and Rory McIlroy (Image via PGA Tour/Imago)

The 5-time major champion was one of those who took part in the press conference before the Tour Championship. During this, one of the reporters would ask McIlroy about his impressions regarding Rolapp.

The reigning Masters Champion expressed that he had not met him until last week. The Northern Irishman though, was impressed with him following a 90-minute meeting with him.

I like him. I like him a lot. I like that he doesn’t come from golf. I like that he doesn’t have any preconceived ideas of what golf should look like or what the TOUR should look like. I think he’s going to bring a fresh perspective to everything, and I think he wants to move pretty quick, so I’m excited.

Rory McIlroy told the reporters

McIlroy previously worked behind the scenes as well. He would serve as one of the six player-directors on the PGA Tour policy board before stepping down from this post in November 2023 due to some personal reasons.

Meanwhile, another PGA Tour player, Michael Kim, would express his interest in having Rolapp as their new CEO. While taking to his X account, the 1-time PGA Tour winner claimed that he was “excited” to see the changes he brings to the tour.

Brian was the pgatour’s first pick for CEO and I think we’re all excited to see the changes and innovations he’s going to bring to the tour.

Michael Kim on X

Rolapp has already announced a few changes that will take place on the tour. In the press conference on Wednesday, he revealed that the tour will have a new PGA Tour Future Competition Committee, with Tiger Woods serving as the chairman, which will be tasked to improve the quality of the tour for its fans, players, and partners.

Also Read: