New PGA Tour boss gives expected answer about LIV Golf in first news conference

The PGA Tour's new chief executive says he should 'learn more' about the situation with LIV Golf before commenting further. 

Brian Rolapp was officially named as Jay Monahan's successor on 17 June. 

Monahan has been at the helm since 2017 and oversaw the most turbulent period in the Tour's history.

The global pandemic was followed with the arrival of LIV Golf and unprecedented disruption in the men's game. 

It was expected that Rolapp would serve under Monahan in a new role but the 55-year-old has confirmed that he will leaving his post entirely at the end of 2026. 

Perhaps one of Rolapp's first tasks is to navigate a path forward with the PIF-backed breakaway. 

The PGA Tour announced a framework agreement with LIV's backers in June 2023 but no deal has come to pass despite intervention from the White House. 

It is understood no further meetings between the two tours are scheduled after the PGA Tour reportedly rejected a $1.5bn offer of investment from the PIF before The Masters. 

Rolapp has history with his counterpart at LIV. 

Scott O'Neil, who replaced Greg Norman at the breakaway in January, met Rolapp whilst at Harvard Business School. 

GOLF has unveiled correspondence between the pair on Twitter four years ago. 

"My view is I come in with a pretty clean sheet of paper," Rolapp told reporters before the Travelers Championship. 

"I also come in knowing that there's a lot to learn. Everything that works in the football world may not work in the golf world. 

"When it comes to that situation particularly, I think the fans have been pretty clear. 

"They want to see the best golfers competing against each other. I think everybody as a golf fan. I agree with that.

"When it comes to the situation with LIV, 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."

Rolapp was asked whether his responsibility lies more towards golf's fans or the membership. 

"Well, I think it's to both," he said. 

"I think ultimately what has attracted me about this opportunity is that it's unique in sports in that the players own the Tour. It's their Tour. They are the shareholders. They are the owners, so I certainly work for them.

"Having said that, and we talked a little bit about this in our player meeting, I think they know what's good for fans is also good for the Tour. 

"Working in the sports business as long as I have, sometimes it's not that complicated. If you think what's best for the fan, it's usually best for everybody involved. So I think we're going to keep that mindset here."

Rolapp has been working in the NFL for more than two decades. He was widely tipped to replace Roger Goodell. 

He insisted now was the right time to try something new. 

"Unique ones [opportunities] don't come up very often," he said. 

"This one did, and it was a chance to really do something different and help grow a game and sport I love."

Armchair critics might take notice of that point. 

The aforementioned Monahan is understood to play off a handicap of six. 

Rolapp said he was introduced to the game when he worked at Congressional Country Club for gas money. 

He plays golf with his sons but stressed: "No one hired me for my golf game here. That's not my job. My job is to do other things. But I'm a big fan of the sport."

Pressed for his handicap, Rolapp said with a smile: "I'm not going to tell you. It's going to be classified. There's a reason I didn't put it in."

"Tiger Woods isn't doing this for his legacy"

Tiger Woods was among the search committee that identified and ultimately hired Rolapp. 

It was previously speculated that Woods was going to be the next boss. 

In fact, some argue that he already is the de facto commissioner given his influence. 

Rolapp said Woods is not just putting in the work behind the scenes simply to secure his legacy. 

"He works hard," Rolapp said. "He's smart. He's dedicated.

"I would say that about Tiger and all these player representatives and other board members, they work really hard and they care a lot. 

"I think the amount of time and work they're putting into this and rethinking this has been very impressive to me, and I think I would point out Tiger specifically.

"He certainly cares about the game. I won't speak for him. He can speak for himself. 

"But from what I've seen, the amount of time and dedication and work he's putting into this is -- he's driving -- doing this for, not his legacy necessarily, but he's doing it for the benefit of the next generation of players, and that comes through significantly."