LIV Golf’s emergence in the golf world has been significant. It created a clear arc of divisiveness and friction among golfers. More than the players themselves, the tours and managements developed friction, and it has been no less than a war.

Now the controversial author who notoriously ignites conversations about golf entities has released a new book. He often explores the gray areas of the sport, and in his recent book, he has offered his take on the Saudi-backed league. While promoting this book, he has now made a huge allegation against Jay Monahan, which might soon overshadow his jabs at Rory McIlroy. 

Was Jay Monahan’s strategy a mistake?

Alan Shipnuck’s recent book LIV and Let Die, apart from pulling a James Bond reference, reveals a lot about the Saudi-backed league and its history, apparently. Speaking to Gary Williams, in the podcast ‘Five Clubs’, Shipnuck spoke about key aspects of the book. The conversation touched upon a mistake that Jay Monahan made in connection with LIV.

In fact, the discussion was more about a precursor to this league, initiated by an enthusiastic London Lawyer, named ‘Alan Gardiner.’ Gardiner put effort into creating a Premier Golf League, and traveled with the idea for about a decade, before giving up on it. 

Williams asked Shipnuck if the way Monahan handled PGL was “a colossal mistake.” Shipnuck responded to the question in elaborate detail. He explained Monahan pretty much approached the PGL the same way as he does now with LIV. Shipnuck felt that the coldness that Monahan showed and how he ignored the whole existence of PGL worked against him. 

Speaking of Monahan’s effect on the PGL, Shipnuck said, “He basically sunk that entire enterprise.” As for the impact of that event, the 50-year-old author theorized that Monahan’s indifference toward PGL probably led to the Saudis forming a League of their own.

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For the unversed, here is a short summary of what happened with the Premier Golf League and Alan Gardiner’s efforts to popularize it. 

Jay Monahan and the case of the PGL

The PGL was a league that proposed a similar structure to what the LIV league has now. PGL’s format had 18 events and 12 teams. The major difference between the two was in the funding. PGL had a business model, where the players would invest in their teams and own them as franchises. 

PGA Tour, which then included the current LIV players as well, turned a blind eye to the PGL. Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, refused to acknowledge the initiative. He didn’t even speak about it in public, as Shipnuck recalled in the podcast. 

The Saudi enthusiasts also had an investment in the PGL and later created a league of their own. Perhaps if Monahan had offered a collaboration early on with the PGL, things may have been different. 

What do you think about Shipnuck’s theory? Do you think Jay Monahan “caused” LIV Golf?   

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