The PGA Tour is entering a new era of leadership, with superstars like Rory McIlroy beginning to speak out about the future direction of the sport.
Brian Rolapp, the seasoned NFL executive selected as the Tour’s next CEO with Tiger Woods’ backing, has already met with McIlroy, who has been advocating for numerous Tour changes.
Rolapp, scheduled to take over from Jay Monahan in 2026 as the commissioner transitions away from day-to-day duties, inherits a sport still recovering from years of battles with LIV Golf and ongoing debates about scheduling, prize money and tradition.
His influence is already being felt across the game’s changing landscape. The Tour has announced the Miami Championship’s return to Trump National Doral in 2026, ending a decade-long absence from Trump-owned venues.
The tournament will function as a $20-million signature event on the revamped spring schedule. Rolapp personally emphasized the importance: “We’re excited to showcase the game’s greatest players competing at golf’s most iconic venues.”
He also takes charge as the Tour overhauls its postseason format. The FedExCup champion’s reward has been reduced from $25 million to $10 million, distributing the $100 million bonus pool across the entire season. Furthermore, the Tour Championship format has been revamped: all 30 players now start at even par, eliminating the widely-criticized “starting strokes” system.
These changes showcase Rolapp’s willingness to shake things up while maintaining the sport’s competitive integrity. Following a 90-minute discussion with the new commissioner, Rory McIlroy expressed overwhelming confidence in the appointment. “I like him. I like him a lot,” McIlroy declared.
“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.”
McIlroy’s excitement was echoed by Scottie Scheffler, who emphasized Rolapp’s NFL background as evidence he could elevate the Tour’s standing. “I think our board and Jay and everybody put a lot of research into finding his successor, and to be able to get somebody from the NFL, especially somebody high up at the NFL, I think is pretty cool,” Scheffler said.
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“The NFL is obviously a very successful organization. He’s got a lot of experience and some new thought processes he can bring to the Tour, and I think it’s exciting.”
Rolapp’s hiring arrives at a pivotal juncture. The PGA Tour continues to navigate intricate negotiations with LIV Golf’s financial supporters. Monahan, while optimistic about the potential success of merger discussions, stressed the importance of protecting the Tour’s advancements and reputation.
McIlroy, a steadfast supporter of the Tour, suggested that Rolapp’s appointment is exactly what this critical juncture requires: a creative, swift-response strategy to ensure the sport’s enduring stability.
