The men’s golfing community is entering a new phase. The PGA Tour and LIV Golf are moving towards a $3 billion merger. However, after the merger was announced, Jay Monahan became a target of criticism. Many PGA Tour pros firmly expressed their stance on the merger and were unhappy with how things turned out. Amidst the chaos, Monahan took a break from his PGA Tour commissioner responsibilities, citing health reasons. However, when he came back, he seemed more firm on his choice to shake hands with his former rivals.

Despite these hardships, Monahan has repeatedly proven he deserves to be the one leading the merger. Along the way, ever since LIV’s inception, he has had a few moments where he proved that he indeed is a boss!

1. Jay Monahan denied PGA players’ permission to play in a LIV Golf event

On May 10, 2022, many PGA players sought permission to play in the LIV Golf Invitational event near London. The PGA board, however, denied the players based on a belief that the event in London was part of a rival series. Despite the denied permission, some players competed in the event, and Monahan’s next apologetic move proved that he was serious with his instructions.

2. Players choosing to play in the LIV series were suspended

After denying the pros permission to play in London, the PGA commissioner suspended the players who opted to play in the LIV Golf Series. The PGA Tour sent out a memo reading, “Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.”

3. Jay Monahan dismisses the idea of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf coexisting

By September 2022, the tension between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf was at its highest. When asked what he thought about the two of them coexisting, Monahan was quick to shoot the whole idea down.

Read More: LIV Golf Update: Tiger Woods to Play a Major Role in the PGA Tour PIF Merger?

“I think it’s impractical when you look at the fact that certain players have sued the PGA Tour; their employer has sued the PGA Tour,” said Monahan. “It’s not in the cards. It hasn’t been on the cards, and it’s not on the cards. I think we’ve been pretty consistent on that front.” The PGAT Commissioner did not shy away from expressing his bold opinion, proving yet again that he knows what he wants, and is clear in his thoughts.

4. The PGA Tour approved radical schedule changes and more

On March 1, 2023, the PGA Tour board revamped the 2024 schedule. The fields were reduced to 70 and 78 players in designated events. Not only this but the 36-hole cut was completely removed from some events. The introduction of signature events with heftier purses to keep the Saudi-funded league on its toes proves that Monahan is here to stay and take the PGA Tour to new heights.

5. The PGA Tour merges with rival LIV Golf, shocking many fans

June 6, 2023, became the day men’s golf would change forever. On this day, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s PIF announced a probable merger. It was also announced that the PGAT and DPWT would form a fourth entity combined with the LIV Golf. The motive behind the merger was to change the face of golf and lead towards its betterment.

The news of the merger took everyone by storm and was kept under wraps until anything was finalized. Even the loyal PGAT pros such as Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were not told about it. The Tour Commissioner became the center of the backlash the decision faced and still did not budge from his stance.

The PIF will invest in the new entity, with The PGA Tour appointing a majority of the Board and holding a majority voting interest in the new entity. In all these instances, Jay Monahan has proven he does not fear being criticized and is the true ‘boss’.

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