Change is in the air for the PGA Tour, and it’s arriving at full speed under the leadership of CEO Brian Rolapp. Since taking the helm earlier this year, Rolapp’s mission has been clear: shake up a sport steeped in tradition and guide it through a landscape transformed by new rivals, shifting fan expectations, and the ever-present push for innovation. With a to-do list that seems to grow by the day, Rolapp is now facing a series of fresh challenges that will shape the Tour’s future—none bigger than the debate raging around golf course design and competitive variety.
The latest flashpoint? The 2025 DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club, held from October 16 to 19. Tommy Fleetwood emerged victorious, claiming his eighth DP World Tour title, but the buzz wasn’t just about the winner. The course itself, lined with trees and demanding precision over power, became the center of heated discussion. The average driving distance for the week clocked in at just 269 yards, a full 30 yards shorter than the DP World Tour average. Notably, Rory McIlroy admitted he left his driver out of his bag entirely, a rare move for one of the world’s longest hitters.
Golf analysts Andy Johnson and Brendan Porath, speaking on The Shotgun Start podcast, were quick to highlight what they called a “double standard” in how fans and pundits assess course design. “Every player and every media pundit who’s praising the trees now, complained about this is the stupidest hole in the world. These guys, they talk out of both sides of their mouths. It’s ridiculous,” Johnson said, referencing the contrasting reactions to the tree-lined Delhi course and the much-maligned par-5 at the Canadian Open. Porath chimed in, “Exact same thing. It’s just presented in a different way. One’s a creek, one’s trees everywhere.” Their point? Both setups take the driver out of play, yet only one draws widespread criticism.
Fleetwood himself compared the strategic demands of Delhi to Augusta National, home of the Masters. “I think the two courses are worlds apart, but I feel like Augusta is very similar in that you can only hit the shot that the course gives you, and I feel like this is very similar.” McIlroy, meanwhile, echoed the need for golf to embrace its unique identity, famously saying, “Golf doesn’t need to be the NFL.”
The debate over course design isn’t just academic. It cuts to the heart of what kind of golf the PGA Tour wants to showcase. Johnson argued for a return to balance and variety: “There’s a balance between giving enough space and not too much space.” He lamented the rise of “architectural homogeneity”—the trend toward long, wide-open, 7,500-yard courses that favor bombers with 190-mph drivers, producing tournaments that feel increasingly interchangeable.
It’s not just Delhi or the Canadian Open under scrutiny. Earlier this year, the Champions Course at PGA National, once considered one of the toughest on Tour, was criticized for becoming too forgiving during the Cognizant Classic. Billy Horschel called the changes “disappointing,” noting that softer fairways and shorter rough made the famed Bear Trap far less intimidating. Jordan Spieth, too, remarked the course was “significantly easier than the dormant Bermuda.”
Other venues have faced similar complaints. Quail Hollow, host of the 2025 PGA Championship, has been labeled a “bomber paradise.” Caves Valley, site of the BMW Championship, was described as “brutish” and one-dimensional. Even storied tracks like Valhalla and Bay Hill have been called out for rewarding only one skill—distance. Johnson summed up the challenge for Rolapp: “The thing that Rolapp should look at is that variety. It’s like there should be an intentional-ness…and this you can’t do this when there’s 50 events.”
Rolapp’s agenda for 2026 and beyond is now crowded with the urgent need to restore diversity and intrigue to the Tour’s tournament rotation. But course architecture isn’t the only area getting a fresh look. The CEO has already introduced sweeping changes to how the PGA Tour operates, many of them spurred by the arrival of LIV Golf and the shifting sands of the professional game.
Earlier this year, Rolapp announced a voluntary retirement program for PGA Tour staff. Approximately 1,300 employees were eligible, with those whose age plus tenure at the Tour totaled 70 years invited to apply by November 1, 2025. Golf analyst Josh Carpenter shared details on X (formerly Twitter), estimating that between 5-10% of the Tour’s workforce could take advantage of the buyout. It’s a move that reflects both the need for organizational renewal and the changing demands of the modern sports business.
That’s not all. After the inception of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour inked a major deal with Strategic Sports Group and rolled out high-purse, limited-field signature tournaments. The Tour also established the Future Competition Committee in August 2025, with Tiger Woods named as chairman. The nine-member group, which includes Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Maverick McNealy, Camilo Villegas, Keith Mitchell, Joe Gorder, John Henry, and Theo Epstein, is tasked with nothing less than reimagining the Tour’s competitive model from top to bottom.
"The purpose of this committee is pretty simple," Rolapp explained via ASAP Sports. "We're going to design the best professional golf competitive model in the world for the benefit of PGA TOUR fans, players and their partners. It is aimed at a holistic relook of how we compete on the TOUR. That is inclusive of regular season, postseason and off-season." He added, "The goal is not incremental change. The goal is significant change." Tiger Woods echoed the sentiment, posting on X, "Honored to serve as Chairman of the Future Competition Committee. This is about shaping the next era of the PGA TOUR — for our fans, players and partners. Thanks to @BrianRolapp for his vision and leadership, and grateful to the committee members for their willingness to participate."
Leadership changes have also swept through PGA Tour headquarters. On October 21, 2025, Rolapp announced key updates to the senior leadership team. Andy Weitz has expanded his role as Chief Marketing Officer, taking charge of all content creation, analytics, and technology to boost fan engagement. Neera Shetty, Chief Legal Officer and EVP of Social Responsibility, will assume interim oversight of additional administrative functions. Dhruv Prasad, a veteran of the NFL and entertainment industry, joins as Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing partnerships, media, events, and strategy. Paul Hicks, another NFL alum, becomes EVP of Strategic Communications and Public Policy, tasked with refining the Tour’s communications and government relations.
"Since Day 1, I have been committed to taking the steps necessary to achieve sustainable success for the PGA TOUR," Rolapp stated. "During my first 90 days in the role, we have identified opportunities to further integrate our teams and add new capabilities to accelerate our growth — for the benefit of our fans, players, and partners." As for the outgoing leaders, Rolapp expressed gratitude: "Allison Keller and Rick Anderson have been instrumental in the TOUR’s growth for several decades. We all thank them for their service and congratulate them as they begin the next chapter of their careers."
With Prasad and Hicks stepping into their new roles at the end of October and early November, the Tour’s leadership is poised for a new era. The message is clear: the PGA Tour is embracing change, from the fairways to the front office.
As 2025 draws to a close, all eyes are on Brian Rolapp and his team. The challenges are significant—restoring competitive variety, reimagining the Tour’s structure, and keeping pace with a rapidly evolving sports world. But with bold moves already underway, golf fans can expect a Tour that’s ready to meet the moment, one innovation at a time.
