LIV golfers to remain frozen out of Players Championship, says PGA Tour chief | PGA Tour

Brian Rolapp, chief executive of the PGA Tour, dismissed any notion that LIV golfers could advance to the Players Championship as a way to boost the tournament’s status. The PGA Tour has attempted to start a debate over whether the Sawgrass event should be added to the major tournament rotation.

The obvious element undermining players’ reputations is the inability of LIV players – such as Bryson DeChambeau and 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith – to participate. Rolapp made it clear Wednesday in Florida that the situation won’t change anytime soon. “It’s not a priority that I put on my list,” he said. “So it’s not something I’ve considered so far.”

Brooks Koepka is in the mix after returning to the PGA Tour after LIV.

Rolapp was equally blunt when asked if unification between the Saudi-backed LIV Tour and the PGA Tour seemed likely. “I’ve been clear about this: My goal is to improve the PGA Tour,” he said.

“I’m open to anything that makes the PGA Tour better. Better for the fans, better for our members. That’s what I’m focused on and that’s where I put all my effort.”

Although it has not yet been ratified or even submitted to its board of directors, Rolapp hopes to remove the 70 players without a cut on the PGA Tour. He wants to double the number of flagship events on his tour, to 16, with tournaments comprising selections and 120 players, and for the general public season to take place from the end of January to the beginning of September.

“Some elements could be addressed for next season and more significant changes will likely be implemented for 2028,” he said. “This is a complex process that affects many groups. We will continue to act with urgency, but we are striving to get it right.

“We are certainly proud of our history and equally focused on building the strongest possible future for our game and for our fans.”