You’d be forgiven if Chris Gotterup‘s win at the Sony Open didn’t cross your desk in real time.
New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp will understand. Depending on his television setup, he might have even been in the same boat.
And that’s why he wants things to change.because the chances are that Rolapp’s attention, like yours, wasn’t solely locked in on Gotterup as he fired a Sunday 64 to claim his third-career PGA Tour title. It might not have been there at all.
As just as Gotterup was putting the finishing touches on his season-opening win, somthing else was calling – something 4,800 miles away from Waialae Country Club.
There in the freezing Chicago cold was Bears second-year quarterback Caleb Williams preparing to author the final moment of divine intervention in an improbable season. As Gotterup was tapping in and basking in the Hawaiian sun, Williams evaded los Angeles Rams defenders and heaved a 40-yard prayer toward the Soldier Field end zone. Fifty-one air yards later – just a tad shorter than Gotterup’s final full swing of the tournament - the ball landed in tight end Cole kmet’s hands, sending the game to overtime and the entire city of Chicago into a state of delirium.
A few minutes later, there was Gotterup getting emotional in an interview with Golf Channel about his journey from almost outside the top 200 in the world to a three-time PGA Tour winner.
You might have missed that, too. As the Bears won the toss, deferred and eventually lost.
Of course, Rolapp understands all of this better than most.He knows that you might not have watched all or any of Gotterup’s win. There are countless things vying for our attention, pulling us in a number of different directions at once. Streaming services, text messages, emails, Slack notifications, push notifications, the list goes on. When the NFL is one of those things, Rolapp, who made his career as commissioner Roger Goodell’s no. 2 at the NFL, knows it’s hard to break away from the gravity of “The Shield.”
As does Tiger Woods, who, along with Rolapp, is in charge of shaping the future of the PGA Tour.
“That’s one of the reasons why we quit playing in S
PGA Tour Schedule Changes and Competition with the NFL
Table of Contents
The PGA Tour is considering significant changes to its schedule, possibly starting in 2027, driven by a desire to increase viewership and compete for audience attention in a crowded sports landscape. A key factor in this consideration is the dominance of the National Football League (NFL).
The Logic of Scarcity
The proposed changes center around creating a more condensed season, mirroring a strategy employed by the NFL. Tiger Woods has publicly supported this idea, suggesting that a shorter season could increase interest by creating “scarcity” – making each event feel more critically important and driving more viewers. He stated that limiting the amount of golf available could “drive more eyes because there will be less time.”
Avoiding Direct Competition with the NFL
PGA Tour officials recognize that the primary competition isn’t necessarily with other golf events, but with all sports and entertainment options vying for fans’ time. PGA Tour Chief Executive Officer Jay Monahan (referred to as Rolapp in the source text, a previous role) explicitly stated the competition is for “the mind share of sports fans and for their time,” acknowledging the increasing distractions of modern life.
The PGA Tour has historically adjusted its schedule to avoid direct overlap with the NFL season. Previously an 11-month season, it was shortened to end in September, and then further adjusted to conclude the FedEx Cup Playoffs before the start of the NFL season. The current proposal suggests a post-Super Bowl start to the PGA Tour season.
The Importance of the American Market
While golf enjoys global popularity, the american television market is crucial for revenue and viewership. Monahan, having previously prioritized television ratings at his former position, understands the importance of capturing the American audience. He reportedly joked about cheering for lower ratings, indicating a focus on maximizing viewership for whichever league is performing worse.
current Status (as of January 21, 2026, 02:33:23 UTC)
As of this date, the PGA Tour has not officially announced a finalized schedule change for 2027. However, reports and statements from key figures like Tiger Woods and Jay monahan strongly indicate that a significant restructuring is under consideration. Discussions are ongoing, and the proposed changes remain subject to approval. There have been no breaking news developments contradicting these reports in the past several days. The PGA tour continues to navigate a complex landscape, balancing global appeal with the need to maximize viewership in the crucial American market, particularly in relation to the NFL’s dominance.
Entities Identified:
* Primary Entity: PGA Tour
* Related entities:
* Tiger Woods (Professional Golfer)
* Jay Monahan (PGA Tour CEO – previously referred to as “Rolapp”)
* NFL (National Football League)
* fedex Cup Playoffs
* Super Bowl
* Chicago Bears (mentioned as a contextual example of NFL viewership)
* Kmet (Chicago Bears player)
* Williams (Chicago Bears player)
