Brian Rolapp has weighed in on the impact of LIV Golf, saying the rival league has, in some ways forced the PGA Tour to look at itself more closely.
His comments come with the league still under scrutiny. Reports earlier in the week suggested the Public Investment Fund could review its backing although nothing has been confirmed.
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Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show Rolapp said competition has played a part in driving change.
“I think what LIV did was expose some things that maybe the PGA Tour could do better, how we can make it better for fans, how we can make it better for professional golfers, how we can make it better for our television partners. And that’s a good thing,” he said.
He added that when there is competition it naturally pushes organisations to improve and refine what they offer.
“In a lot of ways, I think LIV did the professional golf world a favor in a lot of ways.”
That conversation has been running alongside events on the ground. The recently concluded Mexico City stop went ahead as planned despite the off course noise.
There have also been indications that even if things shift the possibility of bringing in outside investment remains on the table.
Rolapp however kept his focus on the PGA Tour saying his priority is building a stronger product going forward. He noted that when fans have options they tend to gravitate towards where the best players and overall experience are.
PGA Tour yet to decide on LIV players’ return
The question of what happens to players has also come up alongside the wider discussion. On the same show Brian Rolapp was asked what happens if players currently with LIV Golf look to come back.
He didn’t give a direct answer. The only clear point was that the tour isn’t making any calls right now and will deal with it when the situation actually changes.
“We know those guys are under contract and we’ll respect that… We’ll react when we have an opportunity to react, but right now we’re focused on making the PGA Tour better.”
So at this stage there’s no set route back. There have been a couple of different cases already. Brooks Koepka returned after getting out of his deal though it came with financial penalties. Patrick Reed is still waiting under the current rule which requires a gap after a player’s last LIV appearance. For now it’s more of a wait-and-see situation than anything fixed.
Edited by Sonali Verma
