Brian Rolapp raised a pointed question back in March. It was about why the PGA Tour has no ownership stake in any men's major. On Wednesday, the man running the U.S. Open answered it directly.

USGA CEO Mike Whan responded to a question about Rolapp's comments during a press conference on Wednesday, June 17, ahead of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

Reporters asked Whan whether he agrees that the PGA Tour and major tournaments should collaborate more closely on financial matters. "I'm not exactly sure where the collaboration goes, but I don't think I'm breaking news to say we've had those conversations with the TOUR and will continue to," Whan said.

"I think when Brian talks about those collaborations. At least when he's talked to me about it, he's talked about how can we come together to make both your events bigger, better, more successful."

Whan said the discussions between the PGA Tour and the major championships have not reached the stage of specific financial arrangements.

Instead, he said the PGA Tour and the major championships are focusing on how they can work together and create better opportunities for players, tournaments, and the game as a whole, rather than discussing how they would share money.

USGA President Kevin Hammer added his own perspective on the relationship. "We have great respect and love the PGA TOUR and the aspirational nature and the way they inspire other players," Hammer said.

He pointed to the USGA's role in developing talent that eventually reaches tour level, calling the organization "their partner in the game, giving them opportunity and access."

Rolapp has separately been leading a broader push to reshape the Tour's competitive structure.

Brian Rolapp Has Been Pushing a New Competitive Model for the PGA Tour Since Last Fall

Rolapp said the Future Competition Committee has made significant progress on a new plan for the PGA Tour. He added that the proposed system could be introduced in 2028.

The proposed system would have two tracks. Track 1 would bring the top golfers together to compete more often. While Track 2 would give other players a chance to earn their way into Track 1.

"I think we have lost a lot of that with the smaller fields, no-cut events," Rolapp said. "The competitive meritocracy that makes this sport great and unique, we've gotten away from, and we're getting back to it."

The tour's next board meeting will take place on June 22. In 2025, the Tour earned $1.2 billion through agreements with 36 partners. In 2026, it had already secured $347 million in new deals with 13 partners.

Do you think the PGA Tour and the majors should pursue deeper financial collaboration? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Ankita Yadav