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Golf Tour's New Leadership Signals Intent to Revamp the Game

Tiger Woods appointed as chair of a new committee by PGA Tour's CEO, Brian Rolapp, to review the tour's competitive position and business standings

, and ASMedia

2025 September 5 . 5:40 AM

2 min read

PGA Tour's Latest Chief Expresses Interest in Rearranging Golf's Landscape

Golf Tour's New Leadership Signals Intent to Revamp the Game

PGA Tour Announces Committee to Revolutionize Competition and Fan Engagement

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has announced the formation of a new committee aimed at making significant changes for the benefit of fans, players, and partners. The committee, chaired by golfing legend Tiger Woods, includes a mix of top players and business advisors.

The committee's goal is not incremental change, but rather a complete re-evaluation of the competitive model, including the regular season, postseason, and off-season. This move is part of Rolapp's strategy to create a sense of scarcity around PGA Tour events, attracting more attention and time from fans.

Tiger Woods was chosen to chair the committee due to his stature in the sport and his ability to bring together some of the best golfers in the world. The committee includes players Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Camilo Villegas, Maverick McNealy, and Keith Mitchell, as well as business advisors Joe Gorder, John Henry, and Theo Epstein.

Rolapp has a history of analyzing and shaping media rights, having previously served as the NFL's chief media and business officer. He emphasizes the importance of strong media partnerships for the PGA Tour, and the choices the committee makes could have implications for NBCUniversal, Versant (which operates Golf Channel), Paramount Skydance, and Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN, all of which hold media-rights deals to show PGA Tour events.

Despite rumours of a potential merger with LIV Tour, Rolapp has downplayed these suggestions, stating that the current form of the PGA Tour and its various tournaments is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. However, Rolapp is focused on getting top players to compete together more often in special events.

Rolapp wants to attract attention and time by creating a sense of scarcity around PGA Tour events. Versant, which operates Golf Channel, may be more sensitive to the committee's decisions than the other companies due to their long-term deals with the PGA Tour that last through 2030.

Under Rolapp's leadership, the NFL experimented with new media platforms while maintaining traditional ties. The new committee will re-evaluate the competitive model with the aim of identifying ways for more top players to compete together and engage fans more often. The current form of the PGA Tour and its various tournaments is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, but with some exciting changes on the horizon.