In appointing a new Chief Executive, the U.S.G.A. Watching the women's game

"I think all the people who hear about change thinking," Oh no, it's over, they're going to set up a governor and everyone will all be the same distance, " " he said. "Nobody has any interest in the game or the people who make it exciting to do so."

Whan will also be central to identifying which courses will be selected as U.S.G.A. championship sites, especially when it comes to the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women's Open. Some of the most controversial decisions in Davis' tenure stemmed from a desire to expand an established, albeit unofficial, rotation of traditional sites for the association's major events. That led to the U.S. Open was played at largely untested venues such as Chambers Bay in Washington state and Erin Hills in Wisconsin with mixed results at best.

Lately, the U.S.G.A. has indicated that it is inclined to return to courses with a history of hosting the national golf championship, which is endorsed by Francis and Whan.

"You'll find yourself stuck with traditional sites a lot more," Francis said:

Whan, who will simply be the USGA's eighth chief executive, said players wanted the same. Knowing that the U.S. This year's Women's Open will be contested for the first time at the Olympic Club in San Francisco (it has hosted the US Open five times), Whan said: "I can promise you that there are now players on the LPGA dreaming of Olympic."

Davis, who joined the USGA to pursue his interest in golf course design, endorsed Whan's roster.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Mike Whan for many years and I see him as a trusted, strategic leader who has a proven record of building partnerships, "Davis said in a statement." I know the USGA will be in good hands and I look forward to working with Mike to ensure a smooth and successful transition. "