Jay Monahan Has Cold-Bloodedly Let Down Loyal Ally Rory McIlroy Amid PGA Tour Disharmony; Here’s Why

“He’s got a long way to go to gain the trust of the membership.” – said a fed-up Xander Schauffele about Jay Monahan after the PGA Tour and the PIF revealed they were in negotiations at the RBC Canadian Open. The membership of the circuit, however, is divided on opinion, with Rory McIlroy always siding with the commissioner. But it seems his loyalty hasn’t been reciprocated by the 54-year-old.

The Northern Irishman was all up for coming back to the PGA Tour Policy Board after Webb Simpson’s resignation until recently when the board members refused to give their approval for the same. Meanwhile, Monahan himself had a reason ready to not reinstate McIlroy, even going ahead to convey how it was just the Tour’s “governance process” to ensure continuity in the talks with PIF!

Jay Monahan’s grounds for Rory McIlroy’s snub

“Today’s news is in no way a commentary on Rory’s important perspective and influence,” stated the commissioner of the PGA Tour while alluding to his stances about the return of the defectors without punishment. Moving on, he continued by saying that “it’s simply a matter of adherence to our(sic) governance process by which a tour player becomes a board member.” Apparently, when a player director resigns from his post, the other golfers on the body have to agree, albeit unanimously, on the successor, similar to how Jordan Spieth was selected to replace the 35-year-old McIlroy.

Adding on, he highlighted the need for Simpson to remain in his position since there was significant progress being made in the negotiations with PIF: “Webb remaining in his position as a member of the policy board and PGA Tour Enterprises board through the end of his term provides the continuity needed at this vital time. We are… working as a collective… to remain open-minded to all avenues that advance the TOUR in the best interest of our players, our partners, and, most importantly, our fans.” Well, it seems the 38-year-old will have to sit on the board till his tenure ends in 2025.

In the meantime, such a response from Monahan does inevitably paint a picture in which the commissioner wasn’t grateful to Rory McIlroy for all that he said and did for him. Especially so since the professional had, at the PLAYERS Championship, expressed his support for the official and pointed out how he was the right man to lead the Tour once again. He also highlighted the $3 billion investment from SSG as well as the partnership with the European circuit, which provides more membership opportunities for fellow players. “Yeah, I think so. You look at what Jay has done since he took over. The media rights deal, navigating us through COVID, the strategic alliance with the DP World Tour. I would say creating PGA TOUR Enterprises… If you actually step back and look at the bigger picture, I think the PGA TOUR is in a far stronger position than when Jay took over.”

This wasn’t the only time he dished out his support for the commissioner of the circuit. He had gone ahead and indicated his complete confidence in Monahan after the merger was announced at the RBC Canadian Open.

McIlroy’s unwavering support for Monahan

Even though calls for the resignation of the PGA Tour commissioner became rampant and the deal left him feeling like a “sacrificial lamb”, McIlroy didn’t waver in his belief as he indicated how the official was the right man for the job. “I’ve dealt with Jay a lot closer than a lot of those guys have,” said the golfer while alluding to those who were angry about the surprising merger. “From where we were a couple of weeks ago to where we are today, I think the future of the PGA Tour looks brighter as a whole, as an entity. “

Back then, he was also understanding of the professionals’ anger that came as a result of the deal. Even so, Rory McIlroy didn’t shy away from his supportive stance while dishing out praises for the commissioner; “I do have confidence in him [Monahan]. I think you ask the people around him that deal with him in a business sense, whether it’s the directors of the board of the PGA Tour. or the title sponsors that he deals with, I mean, he seems to be a very impressive individual when it comes to business.”

At any rate, even after all that has transpired with the Northern Irishman being refused to join the board and Monahan sharing the reason being the same, one thing cannot be denied. He will surely have a say and stay involved in an unofficial capacity, owing to the amount of influence McIlroy has in the game (remember PIP?) as well as his 2-year experience on the board!