THE NEXT ONE’S GOOD
The Messy Truths Brian Rolapp Will Learn About Pro Golf BY JERRY TARDE
the role of the scrappy Everyman who will outwork you to the end zone. That was his reputation at the NFL, where he was known for his intelligence, strate- gic vision and relentless pursuit of ever higher media rights fees (topping $10 billion annually). He is analytical, pa- tient and unemotional at the negotiat- ing table, better at Q&As than prepared remarks – as opposed to Commissioner Jay Monahan, who always looked like he was wearing the wrong-size sports coat and sitting in an exceptionally un- comfortable chair. Jay is well liked up and down the org chart and across the aisle, but I have the sense that he never enjoyed his job. In truth, it had become a miserable assignment dealing with Greg Norman and LIV and defecting players, not to mention the Patrick Cantlays left behind. The months since Rolapp has become the boss show Jay to be, as one TV executive put it, an extremely effec- tive consigliere. He’s slid to the side and graciously allowed Rolapp to assume Tour leadership, all while relishing the
THE 30-FOOT BIRDIE PUTT that Rory McIlroy made on the last hole at the Genesis Invitational
role of second banana so much that some wonder if he ever re- ally wanted the top job. While a gargan- tuan parachute awaits his retirement, Jay might stick around a little longer than people think. I always believed that his predeces- sor Tim Finchem’s superpower was his thick skin. He played the long game. Bad news and grudges would be forgotten in 48 hours, so it was all about the busi- ness. There’s no question he got lucky when, two years into his commission- ership, that kid in the Nike commercial came along and said, “Hello, world: I’ve heard I’m not ready for you. Are you ready for me?” Tiger has been the front man for Ro- lapp’s reshaping of professional golf. His latest legal troubles jeopardise his position as vice chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises and chairman of the Future Competition Committee, but Woods has been effective at tilting the power LONG VIEW PGA Tour CEO Rolapp is looking to 2028 for the big changes.
this year sums up the state of profes- sional golf. In a playful exchange with reporters, Rory was asked if he knew how much it was worth, lifting him from a tie for third to a tie for second. He said, “Probably earned me another 400 or 500 grand, so it’s fine.” It actually meant another $600 000. To quote the old tour pro Chip Beck, “Some people have to work all year to make that kind of money.” Pro golf has some problems, but mon- ey isn’t one of them. The man in charge is the PGA Tour’s new CEO Brian Ro- lapp, who I witnessed speak to intimate groups at length four times and sat next to at dinner once in the span of a win- ter month. His message was consistent and strong, and I’m rooting for him, but I wish he played golf. My first impression was that he should dress better, Armani-up a little bit, although I think he likes playing
10 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MAY 2026
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