Inside Brian Rolapp's Thunderdome at The Players Championship
This morning, the media—and everyone at PGA TOUR HQ—experienced the clear-eyed, well-considered vision of an outsider who is unburdened by the compromises and controversies of his predecessor.
By Alan Shipnuck
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Folks, it's time to prepare for the #SpiethExperience at THE PLAYERS this weekend.
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A collection that channels the spirit of THE PLAYERS.
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Sim Seeking: A Quiet Nook For The Golf Purist in NYC's Upper East Side
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Episode 4: Loftlinks Upper East Side
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SKRATCH IN THE FIELD
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Inside Brian Rolapp's Thunderdome at The Players Championship
By Alan Shipnuck
4 mins read
The Tour commissioner has traditionally met the media on Wednesday of Players week in the cozy confines of the press room. These gatherings revealed much about the big boss’s personality and leadership style. Tim Finchem was pugnacious, obfuscating, awkward… but somehow coldly effective at pressing his agenda. Jay Monahan, a people-pleaser to his core, just wanted everyone to get along, so he never said anything edgy…until LIV Golf activated the competitive streak in the former college hockey defenseman. Rolapp’s presser was moved to the Tour’s sleek $75 million headquarters, creating a crackling atmosphere. With staffers lining every inch of the three-story atrium, the gathering felt a little like Mad Max’s Thunderdome, if all the inhabitants were dressed for a Young Republicans mixer. Despite the glitzy setup, Rolapp avoided hubris.. “I'm a big believer in transparency and feedback,” he said. “I'm also a big believer in making sure you know what you don't know. Humility and knowing what you don't know is a completely underrated leadership attribute in my view. I don't come from the golf world; there's a lot I need to learn.” And so the first half-year of his tenure had been a long listening tour during which got an earful from edgy players, self-interested sponsors and calculating TV execs.
Dan On Golf X Manors
Manors Essentials
Manors Greenskeeper Trouser
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Manors Insulated Course Jacket
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Manors Organic Logo Hoodie
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Manors Merino Wool Crewneck
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$245
Manors Retro Crown Cap
Manors
$61
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Manors Greenskeeper Trouser
Manors
$155
Fore All Global Hoodie
Fore All
$96
FootJoy DryJoys Select LX Rain Jacket
FootJoy
$650
Rhone Women's Course to Court Dress
Rhone
$118
iRangeSports Stick EXT
iRangeSports
$110
Sugarloaf Social Club The Pique Pocket Polo
Sugarloaf Social Club
$95
Jones Goodie Bag
Jones Sports Co.
$45
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From Panther National's Practice Facility
A Full Range Session With Justin Thomas
Dan Rapaport logs JT's full routine, plus puts him through the nine-shot challenge.
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Titleist Pro V1 Aim Golf Ball
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Peter Millar eb66 Performance Five-Pocket Pant
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Club Glove Pro Travel Bag
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Knockaround Sunglasses
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$35
Pinned Dart 2.0 Speaker
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Sugarloaf Social Club “Tech Vest”
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$115
Anker Battery Charger Mag Safe
Anker
$24
Fabletics x Malbon Pleated Wide Leg Trouser
Fabletics x Malbon
$115
G/FORE Gallivanter Golf Shoe
G/FORE
$225
Theragun Mini
Theragun
$220
Elta MD Sunscreen UV Clear
Elta MD
$45
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ADVENTURES IN GOLF
Gear Smart
FIRST LOOK: Testing out golf's 2026 equipment releases
A new year means new equipment, and there are a lot of updates from golf's biggest brands. Skratch Gear Editor Ryan Barath took a Southern California road trip to test out the 2026 releases from Callaway, Cobra, TaylorMade, and Titleist.
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GEAR SMART w/ RYAN BARATH
With so many options available for golfers now in the modern equipment landscape, Gear Smart is dedicated to being an unbiased resource for golfers to find answers to common questions and misunderstood topics
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