The PGA Tour announced Tuesday it hired Brian Rolapp to be its new Chief Executive Officer.
Rolapp spent more than two decades with the National Football League, where he assisted in reshaping how fans experienced live sports. He served as the league’s Chief Media and Business Officer before joining the Tour.
As CEO, Rolapp will lead the PGA Tour into its next phase, serving as the CEO of PGA Tour, Inc. and PGA Tour Enterprises. The PGA Tour management team will report to Rolapp upon his start date, and he will report to both Boards of Directors.
‘I’m honored to join the PGA Tour at such a pivotal time,’ Rolapp said in a release. ‘The PGA Tour represents the highest level of competition, integrity and global opportunity in the game of golf, and I believe deeply in the Tour’s mission and its potential to grow even stronger. I’m ready to get to work – alongside our players, partners and leadership team – to build lasting value and deliver an even more dynamic future for the sport and our fans.’
The PGA Tour CEO Search Committee – consisting of Arthur M. Blank, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Commissioner Jay Monahan, Joe Gorder and Sam Kennedy – unanimously recommended Rolapp for the role. Rolapp will officially begin his new role later this summer.
Having formed the committee to find his successor, Monahan will transition his day-to-day responsibilities to the new CEO and increasingly focus on his role as a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board and the PGA Tour Enterprises Board through the end of 2026.
‘A year ago, I informed our Boards that upon completing a decade as Commissioner, I would step down from my role at the end of 2026,’ Monahan said. ‘Since then, we’ve worked together to identify a leader who can build on our momentum and develop a process that ensures a smooth transition. We’ve found exactly the right leader in Brian Rolapp, and I’m excited to support him as he transitions from the NFL into his new role leading the PGA Tour.
“Brian is the perfect choice for the next chapter of the PGA Tour. His arrival strengthens our leadership team and reflects our shared commitment to the Tour’s continued evolution. With Brian’s expertise and vision, and the trust we’ve established with our players and fans, I’m more confident than ever in the future we’re building.”
Rolapp added, ‘Commissioner Monahan is an incredible leader, and it has been a pleasure getting to know him throughout the interview process. I greatly appreciate his commitment to making me successful in the role and look forward to working with him in partnership throughout this transition.’
Rolapp also penned an open letter to membership after his hire was announced. Here’s what he said:
‘I’m honored to step into the role of CEO of the PGA Tour.
Golf has one of the deepest histories and many of the most timeless traditions in all of sports. That history and those traditions have inspired generations of players and fans, creating both a game and a Tour that millions around the world love. At the same time, professional golf is evolving, as are the ways fans consume sports. My goal as CEO is to honor golf’s traditions but not be overly bound by them.
Over the past few years, the Tour has made meaningful progress in addressing these changes — from creating more opportunities for players to improving the competitive structure and enhancing the fan experience. But there’s still significant work to do and incredible opportunity remains ahead. From creating the highest quality golf product that includes the best players in the world, to strengthening commercial partnerships — as I spoke to players, board members, and fans in recent months, I felt drawn to this potential.
I come from the National Football League, so I’ll be the first to admit — I’ve got a lot to learn about golf. But I love the game, I play the game, and I am a PGA Tour fan myself. To that end, I cannot wait to meet every one of our players, get in front of as many fans as possible, and better understand the needs of our partners. I’m all in.
I am here with deep respect and curiosity to listen, learn from all of you, and help take the Tour to the next level. Players are central to everything we do, and making sure they are supported and heard will be a top priority. At the same time, we are going to keep challenging ourselves to grow the game in new ways, reach new fans, and create a TOUR that reflects the future of sports and entertainment.
Respect the past. Build the future. Let’s move forward together.’
