New PGA Tour chief addresses LIV Golf deal

Newly appointed PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has addressed the circuit’s ongoing situation with LIV Golf.

Rolapp, who won’t directly replace Jay Monahan, was unveiled as the new boss this morning after news broke of the commissioner’s upcoming departure.

And speaking to reporters for the first time ahead of this week’s Traveler Championship, Rolapp weighed in on the current divide in the men’s pro game.

“When it comes to the situation with LIV,” he said, “I think that’s a complex situation that’s probably something I should learn more about before I speak.

“But I will say my focus is on growing the Tour, making it better, and really moving on from the position of strength that it has.”

When asked if he thinks it can go on without striking a deal with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, he added: “Again, I’m not close enough to any of those discussions.

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“But I will say what I saw regardless of that is a very strong Tour. I see a strong product. I see strong golfers.

“I think the Signature Events have been a huge and important progression in the sport. So, I see strength that, just don’t take my word for it, look at the underlying fundamentals; they’re strong.

“I think that really speaks to some of the changes that have been made in the last few years.”

Meanwhile, Rolapp, who spent 22 years with the NFL, most recently as the league’s executive vice-president, said he is armed with ideas.

At the heart of those will be how he spends investment from the Strategic Sports Group.

Led by Fenway Sports Group, it plans to inject up to $3 billion into PGA Tour Enterprises with an initial output of $1.5 billion.

He also said that it was a ‘big factor’ in his decision to join the Tour.

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“I think the Strategic Investment had a big influence,” he said. “I think the investment of capital and the pledge of future capital has been one of the things that have strengthened the Tour. I think it’s a huge opportunity.

“Where we deploy that capital, I have ideas. I don’t think I want to share them now, but that’s going to be part of the job to get in there and talk about it.

“But I think they saw when I saw, which is a great opportunity, and just getting sort of the right alignment and the right capital to do that, that’s what really drew me to it.

“It’s an investor group that is experienced in sports. They’re smart.

“I will also say I attended my first board meeting yesterday, and the player directors are bright and motivated and focused, and that was really great to see.

“I think what I’ve seen from the board have been very focused on growing the game, looking out for players, and so it was all positive.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.