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Brian Rolapp criticised by major winner who refuses to talk after PGA Tour call

Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
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Brian Rolapp’s early days as CEO of the PGA Tour were met with positive feedback from players, who seemed to appreciate his approach after taking over from Jay Monahan.

Following a period of uncertainty during Monahan’s time in charge, particularly around the rise of LIV Golf, there was a feeling that change was needed at the top of the PGA Tour.

The proposed merger between the two tours has since stalled, and while this year’s PGA Tour campaign is off to a strong start, there is hope within the game that Rolapp could be the one to lead it forward.

The CEO has been in contact with several players already, and Rory McIlroy is among those who have spoken positively about him. However, not everyone has been quick to engage.

Lucas Glover explains his reluctance to speak with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp

Lucas Glover on the 18th tee during the first round of the Memorial Tournament
Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Lucas Glover has voiced his frustration over the PGA Tour’s decision to cut the number of cards available starting in 2026. In a recent interview with Monday Q Info, he shared that after seeing next year’s schedule, he did not see any value in talking to Rolapp.

“I met him there in Hartford, he was great, very nice. I think I missed his call when he called me. He did call. I missed it. The players relation staff has tried to get us in touch and I’ve been reluctant. Honestly, I just decided that I didn’t need to have that conversation. When the new schedule came out, they added another signature event, took another full-field event out, that was kind of it for me. That’s what made me realise it wasn’t changing and it was going to get worse. They pulled out a full-field event, put in another signature event at the worst possible place in the schedule.

“I know your listeners will say, ‘well, Lucas, you don’t have to play in them if you don’t like it’. Well, I’m not stupid.

“When the new schedule came out and all I’m hearing is the same conversation: money, money, money, money, money; when’s the last time anybody talked about the charity initiative of the PGA Tour? When’s the last time anybody talked about the billions of dollars that we made for charities across the country and communities where we play? Nobody talks about that anymore. Why not? It’s because it’s not a focus anymore unfortunately.”

2027 schedule may be the first sign of what Brian Rolapp wants to do with PGA Tour

It is unlikely that Rolapp will have played much of a part in shaping the 2026 calendar, given that major decisions like returning to Doral for a signature event were probably made long before he took over.

But you can also see where Glover is coming from. He knows just how tough it would be to convince top players to give more chances back to those lower down the rankings.

And he might simply feel worn out by the prospect of taking on that fight again.

The 2027 schedule is already a topic of discussion, with speculation that it could undergo significant changes, potentially as a result of Rolapp’s growing influence.

If so, it could be a welcome shift. Many share Glover’s concerns that closing off opportunities even further could hurt the tour in the long run, making it harder for new talent to break through and make their mark.