PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp (center) will be the tour’s next commissioner.
BEN JARED, PGA TOUR VIA GETTY IMAGES
One year into his role as CEO of the PGA Tour, Brian Rolapp has made such a strong impression that he will add the commissioner title to his résumé after Jay Monahan’s resignation goes into effect at the end of this year.
The announcement, made Tuesday at the Travelers Championship, was a reflection of not just what Rolapp has done but how he has done it.
“Commissioner Monahan said it, he has no peer when it comes to media relationships and media knowledge with the commercial side of things. I can’t argue that with what I’ve seen,” said Lucas Glover, chairman of the tour’s Player Advisory Council.
“I’ve been thoroughly impressed, most of all with his knowledge but also with his energy and transparency.”
Rolapp will be the tour’s fifth commissioner, following Joe Dey, Deane Beman, Tim Finchem and Monahan.
“We all go through transitions in life, and this transition from Jay to Brian has been a textbook transition,” said Joe Gorder, chairman of the PGA Tour boards. “Jay has done an incredible job supporting Brian, providing his wisdom and counsel to Brian, and being there every step of the way. He has sprinted this far and I’m sure he’s going to sprint through the tape at the end of the year.
“The fact that these two have worked so well and collaborated so well really gives the board total confidence in this decision that we’ve made for Brian to take the role as commissioner.”
Rolapp has been instrumental in driving the tour toward its new competitive model, the framework of which was announced last week, working closely with Monahan, who became commissioner in 2017.
“When the PGA Tour began the search for a CEO, we believed Brian Rolapp was the right leader at the right time to help guide our organization into its next chapter. Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to work very closely with Brian. What has impressed me most is not only his strategic vision, a vision culminating today, but also the way he listens, the way he builds trust, and the way he brings people together,” Monahan said.
“He also has a remarkable ability to balance innovation with respect for our traditions in this game, while keeping our players, fans and partners at the center of every decision.” READ MORE
“It’s been a while since I had to hole a putt to break 60.”
Scottie Scheffler, after missing a 26-foot birdie putt on 18 to shoot 59 in the second round of the Travelers Championship and narrowly missing a chance to join Jim Furyk as the only players in PGA Tour history with two sub-60 rounds
Tiger Woods made his first public appearance last week since stepping away from golf in March to deal with personal issues, introducing Rolapp at the Travelers Championship where the framework of the tour’s new structure was revealed.
As chairman of the Future Competitions Committee, Woods has taken an active role in developing the new model that will create a two-tier system beginning in 2028.
Woods did not take questions at the press conference but made a brief opening statement.
“Over the past eight months, the Future Competition Committee has spent a lot of time on a very important and fundamental question: How do we build the strongest possible version of the PGA Tour?” Woods said.
“This work was never about any one player or person. It was about bringing together different perspectives, having honest, hard conversations, and thinking boldly about what is best for the game that we all love.
“It has been a privilege to work with all the committee members and especially my fellow player directors. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and am grateful to everyone who’s contributed along the way.
“We have to look forward and beyond today and over the horizon to set up the PGA Tour and our sport for the future generations of players and fans.”
Rolapp praised Woods’ involvement in the process even as he has dealt with personal challenges following an auto accident in March.
“It’s great to see him back. Tiger has been involved throughout the process, he’s contributed meaningfully. It’s awesome to see him back and grateful,” Rolapp said. READ MORE
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Compiled by Ron Green Jr.
