Brian Rolapp is set to make changes to the PGA Tour, but Rex Hoggard warns that the changes could limit chances on finding Tour’s next Tiger Woods
Brian Rolapp looking to make changes to PGA Tour(Image: Getty Images)
New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp is making some changes ahead of the 2026 season. Before joining the PGA, Rolapp spent 22 years with the NFL and has plans to turn the PGA into an “aggressive meritocracy”.
Rolapp’s new changes could allow players who finish outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup points list to keep their playing privileges, as the next 50 players outside the top 100 could be placed on a different tier list to see which events they are eligible to play in 2026.
However, the change could mean that younger Korn Ferry Tour players get limited opportunities to be on the PGA Tour. Tour cards available to players from the lower level have already dropped from 30 to 20, and they have less opportunities to earn points and more limited ways to earn their Tour card.
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Over time, this could mean that the PGA has a possibility of missing out on younger stars who are set to be great.
Rex Hoggard, a veteran golf writer for Golf Channel, was speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, with Rex and Lav, said that Rolapp’s changes could prevent the PGA Tour from finding its next Tiger Woods.
“I think one of the arguments is always going to be if you’re good enough, you’re going to make it to the PGA Tour,” said Hoggard. “If you’re a Tiger Woods or a Phil Mickelson or any of these other stars who have come up onto the PGA tour without going through Q School, you do find a way.
Brian Rolapp is new PGA Tour CEO after working in NFL for 22 years
“If the PGA Tour continues to narrow the window, eventually you’re gonna narrow it to the point where all these stars don’t make it through.
“Some of them aren’t going to make it through. It’s just a numbers game at this point. It’s not as though they’re not talented enough. It’s not as though they’re not good enough.
“It’s just that the numbers don’t add up to allow them to get starts on the PGA Tour. That’s the other side of the coin. When I give the PGA Tour its kudos, it’s because they have created a system so all of the top stars have an opportunity to play their way on.
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“I think that system needs to be made sure that it’s fleshed out enough that you don’t have this narrowing effect that’s going to cost you a star down the line.”
When speaking to the media in his first outing in August, Rolapp mentioned he will do anything to make the PGA Tour great.
“To the extent we can do anything that’s going to further strengthen the PGA Tour, we’ll do that, and I’m interested in exploring whatever strengthens the PGA Tour. Whatever does that, I’ll pursue aggressively,” he said. “That’s how I view it.”
