What Brian Rolapp thinks of Bryson DeChambeau as he weighs in on new LIV Golf claim

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The PGA Tour’s new CEO addressed whether losing one of golf’s biggest showmen truly hurts the Tour.

Bryson DeChambeau has been a headline magnet ever since he departed the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2022. With his monster hitting, YouTube reach and box-office personality, he has become one of the sport’s most influential figures — prompting persistent debate over whether the PGA Tour should regret letting him walk.

This week, DeChambeau urged the PGA Tour and LIV to unify “for the good of the game,” reigniting the conversation about his impact and whether the Tour is weaker without him. New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp was asked directly about that idea — and his answer revealed how he truly views DeChambeau’s place in the professional landscape.

Rolapp clarifies whether Bryson DeChambeau is a ‘problem’ for the PGA Tour

Speaking at the CNBC CEO Council Forum, Rolapp praised DeChambeau’s star power but pushed back on the narrative that the 32-year-old’s absence is hurting the PGA Tour. “Bryson is a star, he’s an amazing golfer,” he said. “He’s also amazing off the golf course, and most of his audience sees him on YouTube.

They don’t see him on television because the other league doesn’t really draw a lot of viewers.”
Rolapp stressed that while fans want top names competing against each other, there’s a misconception that golf relies on three or four marquee players to stay relevant. The Tour’s strength, he argued, lies in its unmatched depth. “There’s no tour on Earth with deeper talent than the PGA Tour,” he said. “Every sport has stars, but what really makes sports work is also the middle class.”

Why Rolapp believes the Tour thrives because of its depth — not just its stars

Drawing on his 25 years in the NFL, Rolapp compared golf’s competitive ecosystem to American football. While big teams like the Kansas City Chiefs drive ratings, he noted that the league’s success isn’t built solely on its superstars. “When the Bengals are good, you watch. When the Lions are good, you watch,” he said. “The middle class matters.”

Rolapp highlighted that the PGA Tour already has a strong pool of stars — including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood — but the week-to-week competitiveness created by a deep field is what keeps the product compelling. Upset stories and emerging players ensure long-term sustainability, even as individual stars come and go. Reading between the lines, Rolapp’s message was clear: the PGA Tour will continue to thrive, with or without Bryson DeChambeau.