Rolapp PGA appointment ‘really positive’ – McIlroy

Rory McIlroy describes the “amazing” experience that new PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp will bring to the position.

Rolapp will succeed Jay Monahan, the tour’s first CEO, who will resign after ten years in the position in 2026.

As chief media and business officer, he has more than 20 years of experience with the National Football League (NFL) and contributed to the expansion of American football internationally.

McIlroy claimed Rolapp’s appointment is “really positive” for the PGA Tour despite the fact that he has not met him.

McIlroy said, “He certainly said all the right things, and he has an incredible background with two decades in the NFL.”

He has assisted them in expanding internationally and making them the behemoth they are today.

I believe it will be amazing and wonderful that Jay is there to facilitate the smooth transition for him to bring that experience.

Before the Travelers Championship, which will take place in Connecticut on Thursday, Rolapp met with the PGA Tour’s members, and Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one, said he “liked what I got to hear.”

“I think some new leadership is exciting.” I really don’t know much about him because I only heard him speak yesterday, according to three-time major winner Scheffler.

What I heard yesterday was what I liked. Jay and our board have done a lot of research to find his successor, and it’s pretty cool to have someone from an NFL high position.

McIlroy, who had just lost to winning the US Open at Pinehurst, will now compete in the Travelers Championship after skipping the 2024 contest. “Living my wounds,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy arrives in Connecticut after a difficult week at Oakmont’s major, where he was clearly frustrated with his game and who had largely made the cut, when he claimed to have earned the right to “do what I want” after skipping media sessions.

He claimed after the tournament that he had climbed his “Everest” to win his first Grand Slam of his career by winning the Masters in April and that he was looking forward to climbing “another mountain.”

The 36-year-old said, “Sometimes, when you’re in contention and trying to win them, it can feel quite difficult to go and play the next week.”

You are excited to play again after a week like I did at Oakmont, where you aren’t quite in the mix but you believe you may have found something to be interesting.

It’s nice to be on a course with a few birdies and to get out on one like this from last week.

The five-time major winner said consistency was key and that making the most shots off the tee in Oakmont had helped him feel more confident about his game when asked if one particular shot at the US Open had helped him become more optimistic about his game.

The proof is in the pudding, he continued, “If I can see something or have a feeling that is very repeatable, that is very repeatable on the range, that is one thing, but that is on the course.”

“Last week, I felt like I found a feeling that was repeatable and effective, especially off the tee.”