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Here's what Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth say about new PGA Tour CEO
Here's what Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth say about new PGA Tour CEO
The 72 players in the field at this week's Travelers Championship met with Brian Rolapp, the new PGA Tour CEO, on Tuesday at a mandatory player meeting at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. (Apparently, winning the U.S. Open earned an excused absence as J.J. Spaun was off in New York City doing his post-victory tour.)
Not surprisingly, just about every one of the six players that met with the media on Wednesday were asked about meeting the new big man on campus who will soon be calling the shots at the Global Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Also not surprising: all the comments were glowing with the cameras rolling but here's what the pros had to say about their new, fearless leader.
'I spoke with him yesterday. His resume is incredible. He seems like a really smart guy,' said U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley. 'I just think the PGA Tour is in such a great spot. A handful of years ago when all this started, I didn't know what was going to happen. I was nervous. I didn't know how this was all going to end up, but now years later, I'm really confident in where the PGA Tour is and where it's going. I'm proud to play on this Tour.'
He added: 'It's never been better than it has been right now. That was a worry, and now I'm even more excited about the future. It's going to be great.'
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What Jordan Spieth said
Three-time major winner and past Travelers champion Jordan Spieth also came away encouraged from his initial interaction with Rolapp. Spieth served on the Tour board during a tumultuous time up until this year and brings an interesting perspective on how the Tour operates.
'I really, really liked him. I think he seems like a steal from the most successful sports organization in the world and someone who is on the path to becoming potentially commissioner over there to coming over and taking the PGA Tour forward,' he said. 'I think he resonated a lot with some of the players about challenging some of the networks on how they're showing the product. Then being open and willing to adapt and change while maintaining the integrity of the game.
'I think he said all the right things. From other players to other people that are sponsors that have reached out to me since have all been super excited about that hire and that we're very lucky to have him.'
What Rory McIlroy said
Rory McIlroy is another former board member and served as an unofficial spokesman for the Tour during the heat of the battle with LIV. He took a lot of bullets for the Tour but has since taken a backseat in his role.
'I haven't met Brian yet, but obviously I followed quite a bit of the news and the coverage yesterday. He certainly said all the right things and has an amazing background, two decades in the NFL, helping them expand internationally and basically become the behemoth that they have become,' McIlroy said. 'So for him to bring that experience to the PGA Tour, I think will be amazing, and I think it's great that Jay is there to help with the smooth transition also. Yeah, I think it's a really positive thing for the Tour.'
What Scottie Scheffler said
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also weighed in but he, too, didn't get a chance to meet and greet the new guy.
'I think it's exciting to have some new leadership. I think Brian will bring some good energy. Literally, the first time I heard him speak was yesterday, so I really don't know much about him. I liked what I heard yesterday,' Scheffler said. 'I think our board and Jay and everybody put a lot of research into finding his successor, and to be able to get somebody from the NFL, especially somebody high up at the NFL, I think is pretty cool. The NFL is obviously a very successful organization. He's got a lot of experience and some new thought processes he can bring to the Tour, and I think it's exciting.'
Rolapp paid a visit to HQ on Wednesday and met with PGA Tour staff. He will continue his 'Town Hall meeting' tour next Tuesday with another mandatory player meeting being held in Detroit at the Rocket Classic, which is a full-field event and a chance for those not eligible for this week's Travelers to hear from and introduce themselves to the Tour's first CEO.
