PGA Tour Commissioner Brian Rolapp has been in the role for less than a year though in addressing the media ahead of this week’s Players Championship he got it right by declaring: “It’s not for the PGA Tour to decide whether or not the tournament should be a ranked a major“.
It is both a continuing and also annoying point of discussion whether or not the Players Championship should be a major.
The golfing purists will have no talk of a The Players being designated a fifth major, and rightfully so.
I can recall back to the days in being accredited for the 1988 Players Championship, and my maiden PGA Tour event and when there was talk of designating the Australian Open as a fifth major championship.
It was noticeable last week at the Arnold Palmer Championship with my media colleagues intent on quizzing those competing at Bay Hill whether the Players deserves major championship status. It’s been the same scenario at this time of the year for so many years.
The PGA Tour also has been promoting this week’s Players with TV advertisements declaring: ‘March is going to a be a major’.
NEW @PGATOUR BOSS GETS IT RIGHT ….
As Commissioner Brian Rolapp declares it’s not for the Tour to decide if @THEPLAYERS should be desingated a major championship
Must read: https://t.co/eJChm8i4K6
PGAT
✅ @TOURMISS @Record_Sport (Bernie ) pic.twitter.com/jhGSa0u68z
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) March 11, 2026
This campaign, which began airing on February 5, 2026, aimed to highlight a packed, high-stakes schedule during the month of March, primarily centered around THE PLAYERS Championship.
If so, why then is there the need to mention the word ‘major’?
Rolapp found himself being asked to address such speculation during today’s press conference at TPC Sawgrass
“I will say the one thing I learned is our marketing department’s really effective. They made one commercial spot, and we’re all having this conversation, which is really interesting. Kudos to them“, said Rolapp.
“Listen, the talk on if this should be a major, should it not be a major, I’ve learned a lot. I’m not entirely sure how majors become majors; the history is really interesting to study. There used to be more majors. There’s fewer majors.
“I think what’s important, that’s not for us to decide. What is important is that this is a pretty special event and I think among the best events in golf. So I think anyone you talk to, players, fans, partners, they will tell you the same thing, and I think that should be celebrated.“
Rolapp was named CEO of the PGA Tour on June 17th, 2025.
In that role, Rolapp he naturally addressed other matters of interest but advising nothing has been finalized despite consensus has developed around six key themes.
1) Season structure: The PGA TOUR is looking at a schedule from late-January to early-September, with roughly 21 to 26 events on a first track of elevated events which would include the majors, THE PLAYERS Championship and the postseason. These events would be similar to today’s Signature Events, with the best players competing for elevated purses. That would mean at least doubling the current number of Signature Events (eight). Rolapp also noted there would be a second track of TOUR tournaments that will ladder up to the elevated events.
2) Consistent fields: The Committee is focused on delivering consistent fields at top events. They believe in moving away from smaller fields and no-cut events, with Rolapp indicating they are looking at field sizes around 120 players with a cut.
3) Open big: Rolapp emphasized the need to open big to start the season, with a marquee event in the west, the benefits of which would include finishing on network TV in prime time on the East Coast.
4) Major markets: Rolapp has a keen eye on where the PGA TOUR plays, with an opportunity to bring events to more major markets where demand is strong. Currently, the TOUR competes in only four of the top 10 largest U.S. media markets. Rolapp said the TOUR is evaluating markets with strong existing fan demand and the opportunity to reach new fans in places like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston, among others.
5) Promotion and relegation: The Committee is evaluating the role of promotion and relegation between the two tracks within the competitive model to bring an added element to the second track of events. Rolapp said the TOUR envisions a merit-based system that leans into what makes golf compelling: players earning their way to the top, with every event having greater meaning.
“Ultimately, scarcity is not about the number of events we have,” Rolapp said, “but rather scarcity is about making every event we have matter.”
Rolapp compared the TOUR’s potential system to English soccer, where clubs move between leagues (Premier League and Championship) based on annual performance. Applying elements of that approach to the TOUR would create real consequences and lift the competitive standard across the entire platform.
“For our members, the message is simple,” Rolapp said. “Play well, and you earn the opportunity to compete in our biggest events – and for more money.”
6) Enhancing the postseason: Finally, the committee is exploring ways to add even more drama to the postseason, including the potential introduction of match play – either at the TOUR Championship or across the postseason as a whole – creating win‑or‑go‑home moments as the season reaches its conclusion.
Rolapp emphasized that nothing has been finalized and that no formal recommendations have been sent to the player-led Boards. The committee is continuing to gather input from players, partners and other key stakeholders.
Rolapp is expected to address the media again at the Travelers Championship in June, with more updates to come through the TOUR Championship in August. Rolapp acknowledged changes will be made on a rolling basis, with some elements potentially implemented for next year while more significant changes will likely take shape for the 2028 season.
“We will continue to move with urgency, but we are more focused on getting this right,” Rolapp said. “We are proud of our history and just as focused on building the strongest possible future for our game and the fans.”
