PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague is stepping down from his position, stating that he will return to upstate New York to care for his family.
In Wednesday’s announcement, the PGA of America said Sprague informed its board of directors of his decision in early December. He will advise the board during its search for his successor and help with the new CEO’s transition. The PGA of America said it expects to select a new CEO “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 in a statement. “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 honor, and I will always be grateful for the trust placed in me by the Board and thank them for their understanding.”
Sprague and PGA of America president Don Rea came under fire this fall for not immediately reacting after Rory McIlroy and other golfers were verbally abused by disappointed American fans at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York.
McIlroy, the face of the European team, heard lewd insults about his personal life, homophobic slurs and a steady stream of expletives during his pre-shot routines and backswings. Additionally, his wife Erica was hit with a beer thrown by a fan while the McIlroys were walking to the 17th green to cheer on his teammates.
The tensions rose enough that McIlroy and playing partner Shane Lowry eventually returned the expletives right back.
Several days later, a video was published in which Rea told BBC Sport that “things like that are going to happen,” which was not received well by the European team.
Sprague took a far more aggressive stance in an exclusive interview with The Athletic, condemning the fans’ behavior. Sprague said he had a lengthy phone call with McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, in which he apologized and asked O’Flaherty to share a letter with the McIlroys.
“I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future,” Sprague told The Athletic. “I’m the CEO now. I don’t condone this type of behavior. This is not good for the game of golf. It’s not good for the Ryder Cup. It’s not good for any of the professional athletes, and we will do better.”
It marked Sprague’s first Ryder Cup as PGA of America CEO after he took the position in January 2025. Instead of focusing on the tournament, he had to do damage control on a week that became about everything other than golf, calling the fans’ behavior “disappointing.”
Sprague was on the PGA of America’s board from 2008 to 2010 before serving as president from 2014 to 2016. Before his tenure as CEO, he spent the last few years as TPC Sawgrass’ general manager.