There’s no name more synonymous with golf than Tiger Woods. The golf legend made his first appearance on the PGA Tour circuit since undergoing Achilles surgery in March, appearing at the 2025 Travelers Championship on Tuesday.
Woods traveled to TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, for the official announcement of the new PGA Tour Chief Executive Officer, Brian Rolapp. While Woods will not be competing in the Travelers Championship or any PGA Tour events this year, his presence speaks volumes about the significance of Rolapp’s new role.
Tiger Woods Makes Appearance At Travelers Championship
It’s been an exciting, yet challenging year for Woods. While he launched a successful debut season of TGL, an innovative, tech-backed golf league, he also faced major setbacks, including a ruptured Achilles tendon and the passing of his mother. The 15-time major champion has been focusing on his recovery and has not announced a timeline for his return to competitive golf.
Woods has not appeared publicly at any PGA Tour event this year. However, in his role as a player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, he made the trip to Cromwell to welcome incoming CEO Brian Rolapp. Woods expressed optimism about the Tour’s future, posting a congratulatory message on X and thanking outgoing CEO Jay Monahan for his contributions.
Congrats to Brian on becoming CEO of the PGA TOUR. I’m excited about where the TOUR is headed. And a big thank you to Jay for everything he’s done for our game and for the players and fans. https://t.co/o9bYPPszH3
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 17, 2025
Who is the New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp?
While Jay Monahan will remain PGA Tour Commissioner through 2026 to ensure a smooth transition, Rolapp has officially taken over as CEO of both PGA Tour, Inc. and PGA Tour Enterprises.
His appointment was made by unanimous vote from the CEO Search Committee, which includes Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Arthur M. Blank, Joe Gorder, and Sam Kennedy.
Although Rolapp has limited experience in golf, he is a seasoned NFL executive credited with negotiating some of the league’s largest broadcasting contracts. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in sports business, Rolapp helped the NFL become one of the most commercially successful sports organizations. Over his tenure, he has helped broker nearly $100 billion in deals and partnerships.
Now, he steps into leadership at a critical moment for golf, as tensions between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour remain unresolved.
