Reports on new CEO shows that the PGA TOUR still not willing to embrace global vision

ESPN is reporting that NFL Executive Brian Rolapp will become new CEO

13 June 2025, SHANK, by Matt Hooper: 'From sea to shining sea' yes, America believes it is the greatest country on earth, and when it comes to sports, and particularly golf, they believe they are the ONLY country on earth. Jay Monahan has overseen a period of the PGA TOUR's history which has seen the World Golf Championships disappear, and the tour become more introverted than any period since the 1980's. Now, with Monahan set to become the leader of the new PGA TOUR ENTERPRISES, the hunt is on for a new CEO, and it appears the tour have found their preferred candidate - Brian Rolapp.

Rolapp is apparently a "highly respected NFL executive" according to the ESPN report. He was widely considered as the most likely successor to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when he steps down in the future. With the golfing landscape changing dramatically over the last four years, this was an opportunity for the PGA TOUR to take a bold step, and appoint an individual which would embrace the world, and be able to reposition the organisation as the global golf tour. Yes, with a massive part of that being centred in the USA, but embracing the partnership with the DP World Tour, and building new partnerships with the PGA Tour of Australasia, Japan Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour and Asian Tour.

For whoever the new CEO is, the burning question and most important one is what is the future relationship with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia? Surely having someone who is able to embrace change and the world outside the United States is going to be more able to cut a deal with the PIF and move this sport forward. Instead it seems the PGA TOUR will be lead by an individual who has spent 22 years at the NFL, and it shows how the PGA TOUR sees itself, as an American league first and foremost.

Jay Monahan is the Commissioner of the PGA TOUR / Matt Hooper Photography

The Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour has worked almost exclusively in the favour of the PGA TOUR, with the top 10 players every year on the DP World Tour moving to the PGA TOUR, further shredding new talent from our events. The Genesis Scottish Open is the only DP World Tour event to be co-sanctioned, and in effect is a free warm up for the full-time US-based golfer ahead of The Open Championship, allowing them to play 'overseas' and still earn FedEx Cup points.

A new CEO with a unifying global vision and outlook could fulfil the potential of the Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour, even possibly overseeing a full merger between the two organisations. If not a full merger, the PGA TOUR could certainly co-sanction the likes of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, AMGEN Irish Open, FedEx Open de France, Open de España, BMW PGA Championship, Australian Open and Nedbank Golf Challenge. A new CEO open to embrace change and innovation would entertain the prospect of LIV Golf sitting alongside the PGA TOUR in the global landscape of professional golf, and allow their players to take advantage of sponsors invites to select PGA TOUR events, and where appropriate, play in the likes of the signature events, if they are eligible.

But we have seen what the NFL's attitude is to change, and other players in the marketplace with their response over the years to the USFL, a spring football league which is not a rival in any direct way to the NFL. The NFL is a traditional American institution, and the league and its media have an inflated view of its own importance in world sport, which is negligible outside the United States of America. I for one do not anticipate there being the change in attitude required to secure a deal with the PIF, or LIV Golf moving forward, and I do anticipate the further erosion of the DP World Tour, to the point that it becomes a third level tour in world golf.

I hope I am wrong, but the PGA TOUR has given me reason to believe I am not.