The PGA Tour is throwing its support behind President Donald Trump's pursuit of permanent Daylight Saving Time.
Trump revealed in a lengthy Truth Social post over the weekend that PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp had sent a letter in support of the Sunshine Protection Act, a bipartisan bill the president is currently trying to push through the U.S. Senate. Trump released the full contents of the letter, which began with the lead executive of the PGA Tour thanking the president for his appearance at The Presidents Cup last month outside Chicago.
"Permanent daylight saving time (DST) would expand access to golf at a time when the game is more popular than ever," Rolapp wrote in correspondence dated Oct. 1. "Most golfers do not play full-time and fit the game into
the margins of a busy life: reps on the range after work, taking their kids to the course after school, or trying to fit in nine holes before dark. That window is already tight, but when the clocks fall back, it closes entirely. An extra hour of evening light sounds simple, but for everyday Americans, it can be the difference between getting on the course and not."
The Sunshine Protection Act would create permanent Daylight Saving Time, eliminating the practice of setting clocks back an hour in the fall or forward in the spring. Only Hawaii and most of Arizona currently opt out of participating n Daylight Saving Time. The bill passed through the House with a 308-117 vote in July.
Rolapp stated in his letter that the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) estimates permanent Daylight Saving Time would generate 23 million additional rounds per year and $1 billion annually in new direct revenue for the golf industry.
He also noted the benefits it would have for the PGA Tour's televised product, writing that "usable afternoon daylight in the fall and winter would give our broadcast partners flexibility to extend live coverage of finishing holes, avoid awkward lighting situations in late rounds, and deliver a better overall product for the millions of fans who tune in each week."
The PGA Tour has mended its relationship with Trump in recent years, returning to Trump National Doral in 2026 for the Cadillac Championship signature event. Trump served as the honorary chairman of the Presidents Cup for the second time this year, reprising a role he also filled in 2017 during his first term at the White House.
Trump was at Medinah Country Club on Sunday, Sept. 27, as the U.S. team mounted a furious final-round comeback to defeat the International team and retain the Presidents Cup. Trump greeted every golfer along with Rolapp at the first tee and took part in the trophy ceremony afterward. Rolapp said in the letter he and Trump also spoke about the Sunshine Protection Act while together in the Chicago area for the international team match-play event.
"Having you in attendance for Team USA’s remarkable comeback made the day even more special," Rolapp wrote in his letter to Trump. "The PGA Tour is grateful for your consistent support for the golf industry and your desire to grow the game."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: PGA Tour backs Donald Trump's push for permanent Daylight Saving Time
