Derek Sprague resigns as PGA of America CEO to prioritise family
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Derek Sprague served in various leadership roles, including as a board member from 2008 to 2010 and president from 2014 to 2016.
PHOTO: PGA.COM
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LOS ANGELES – Derek Sprague resigned as the chief executive officer at the PGA of America on Jan 7 as a means to help provide increased care to both his mother and mother-in-law.
He informed the PGA of America board of directors in December of his request to be with his family in upstate New York.
Sprague said he will continue in an advisory role to help the transition for the incoming CEO. The PGA of America said it expects to announce a new chief in the coming weeks.
“At my daughter’s wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me nearby to assist with the care of my mother and mother-in-law,” Sprague said.
“Focusing on family has become my priority and the best decision for me is to step away from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.
“Serving as CEO of the PGA of America over the past year has been an incredible honour and I will always be grateful for the trust placed in me by the board and thank them for their understanding. I also want to thank our staff for their tireless dedication.
“Their passion and commitment inspire me and I know the association will continue to thrive as it carries forward the proud mission of serving our members and growing the game.”
Sprague took over the position in December 2024 from interim CEO Kerry Haigh, who was in charge since Seth Waugh resigned in June of that year. Waugh had held the role since August 2018.
The PGA of America, a separate organisation from the PGA Tour, runs the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and other events. Sprague, a PGA of America member since 1993, served in various leadership roles, including as a board member from 2008 to 2010 and president from 2014 to 2016.
Before being named CEO in 2024, Sprague had served as general manager of TPC Sawgrass – the home of the PGA Tour’s flagship event, The Players Championship – in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
The PGA of America said it expects to name a new CEO in the coming weeks.
In PGA Tour news, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is returning to “The People’s Open”.
The two-time event champion committed to February’s Phoenix Open on Jan 7.
Scheffler won at TPC Scottsdale in 2022 and 2023 and was third the following year before finishing 25th in 2025.
“Scottie has been a great champion and long-time supporter of the Phoenix Open and the entire community,” tournament chairman Jason Eisenberg said in an announcement. “He earned his first career PGA Tour win here and we are excited to welcome back to Scottsdale.”
Scheffler most recently competed at the Hero World Challenge in December, tying for fourth in the Bahamas.
His only other strokeplay event since the Tour Championship was a win at the Procore Championship ahead of the Ryder Cup – his sixth victory of 2025 that included winning the PGA Championship and the British Open.
Thomas Detry is not expected to defend his Phoenix Open title from 2025 after reportedly signing with LIV Golf.
Meanwhile, Kai Trump, the granddaughter of US President Donald Trump, announced on Jan 7 that she underwent surgery on her left wrist for a golf injury.
The 18-year-old high school senior was the youngest player in the field at The Annika, which was her first-ever LPGA Tour event in November.
She will be playing collegiately at the University of Miami. REUTERS
