“I am against ball rollback, both personally and professionally”: New CEO of PGA, Derek Sprague makes firm statement days after getting his role

In 2024, Seth Waugh, who served as CEO of the PGA of America, announced his retirement. Later, former PGA of America President Derek Sprague announced he would take over from Waugh. A member of the association since 1993, Sprague's most recent role was as the General Manager of TPC Sawgrass.

While there is still some time before Derek Sprague officially takes charge as CEO of PGA of America, the veteran golf figure has made his stance clear on whether he will support or oppose the golf rollback.

SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio uploaded a video on X (formerly Twitter) in which Michael Breed questioned Sprague about the rollback. The latter said:

"I am against the ball rollback both personally and professionally. That's something that will be a high-priority item when I get in the seat here later this month... Working with the officers in the board and then working with my colleagues with the PGA Tour. I know commisioner Manohan is against it, and the board is as well."

Further in the interview, Derek Sprague acknowledged the fact that some professional golfers favor the ball rollback. He also mentioned that he will need to work with the USGA. As per Sprague, PGA organizations around the world are against the rollback.

For those unaware, the rollback in golf is a rule that has been proposed by the USGA which will limit the distance golf balls can travel. This will be achieved by creating new balls that will require a lot more club speed to travel the same distance, which means the new balls won't go as far as the old ones.

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What did the President of the PGA of America say when Derek Sprague was hired as CEO?

Don Rea Jr. with Matt Borchert of the Team of 20 during the third round of the 2022 PGA Championship - Source: Getty

Before Derek Sprague was hired as the next CEO of the PGA of America, he already had vast experience in the world of golf. As mentioned above, Sprague has served as the President of the association, along with being the manager of TPC Sawgrass. Earlier in his career, he also served as GM of Malone Golf Club.

It's also worth mentioning that Sprague served as the Managing Director of Liberty National Golf Club between 2016-2017. Hence, when he was hired as CEO, the President of the association, Don Rea Jr., made it a point to highlight that Sprague knows every detail of the association.

The President said:

“To have a leader at the helm who knows every detail of the association and what it means to be a PGA of America Member will enable our association to succeed far into the future."

In a statement released at the same time, Derek Sprague spoke about what he has done throughout his career. He said:

"Throughout my career I have made it a priority to bring people together around a common cause. At a time of profound change in golf, there is also great opportunity for our association and our members."

Further, Sprague said that it would be his task, along with the board, to elevate the profession of more than 30,000 PGA of America golf professionals. He also mentioned that this would have to be done to ensure the health of the association and its relationships within the industry.