December is a special month for professional golfers. While it’s usually a time for relaxation, it can also be crucial for young talents trying to make their mark. Recently, six golfers earned their spot as PGA Tour members after qualifying for the final round of the Q-school tournament. These players—Lanto Griffin, Hayden Buckley, Takumi Kanaya, Alejandro Tosti, Will Chandler, and the youngest of all, Matthew Riedel—are now the center of attention in the golfing world.

Among these players, Alejandro Tosti has captured the hearts of many. The 27-year-old had a shaky start, shooting 65-69 in the first two rounds. He’d made it safely inside before the round concluded. He tapped in for par on the 18th to clinch. But what really stood out during this time was the warm welcome he received from PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. They greeted Tosti with open arms. Well, by providing Toshi with the Tour card and such a cute welcome, is Monahan trying to please his haters?

This warm welcome comes at a time when Monahan is under scrutiny. After the PGA Tour unveiled new rules and regulations aiming to enhance the experience for players and fans, many have raised eyebrows. One major change includes reducing the number of players in tournaments from 156 to 144, which could further, drop to 132 and 120 under certain conditions. Additionally, the exempt list for top players will shrink from 125 to 100, although a new rule allows those ranked 101-125 to qualify for events. Changes are also coming to the Korn Ferry Tour, where the number of promoted cards will decrease from 30 to 20.

Critics like major champion Lucas Glover have questioned the motives behind these changes. Glover has voiced his discontent, stating that the Tour is “hiding behind the guise of slow play” to justify these reductions.

He believes smaller fields won’t necessarily speed up the game and has suggested the Tour impose harsher penalties for slow play instead. As the Players Advisory Council prepares to discuss these proposed changes, the golf community remains waiting for answers.

Jay Monahan’s history of facing backlashes

The golfing community is not new to the PGA Tour commissioner facing backlashes. Even before, Monahan faced backlash because of hefty earnings revealed last year. His eye-popping $23 million paycheck, which includes bonuses and long-term incentives, left fans questioning whether he truly deserves it.

Many call him the “worst commissioner in golf history,” especially after losing top players like Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka to LIV Golf. With declining TV ratings and other challenges on the horizon, it’s unclear if Monahan can turn things around.

Despite the surrounding controversies, the welcome Tosti received could be seen as a positive step forward. Perhaps, it’s a sign of hope amidst the ongoing challenges in the world of professional golf. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how these young talents, including Tosti, navigate the path to success. How Monahan manages to steer the PGA Tour through these turbulent waters will be fascinating.