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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – NOVEMBER 07: Incoming PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during the PGA TOUR You Employee Meeting in the Ponte Vedra Room at TPC Sawgrass on November 7, 2016 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR)
via Imago
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – NOVEMBER 07: Incoming PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during the PGA TOUR You Employee Meeting in the Ponte Vedra Room at TPC Sawgrass on November 7, 2016 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR)
The rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has been heating up in recent months, with the two Tours taking different paths as they battle it out for supremacy in the world of professional golf. At the heart of the rivalry is a dispute over the future direction of the sport, with the PGA Tour working to revamp its structure for 2024 while LIV Golf has been busy establishing itself as a major player in the world of professional golf.
The most recent update in this rivalry is the statement released by the commissioner of the PGA Tour, Jay Monahan. While Monahan thinks that now it’s a fight between the products of both the golf leagues, he remained quiet on if he would answer the calls from Greg Norman of the rival league.
Rivalry Between PGA Tour and LIV Golf
The landscape of professional golf is currently divided between two rival Tours, with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf taking different paths as they compete for supremacy in the sport. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan recently described the situation as “product versus product,” and he has outlined a schedule of elevated tournaments with an average prize fund of $20 million for 2023.
🚨 | Jay Monahan says PGA Tour's battle with LIV Golf is now about "product versus product". pic.twitter.com/sJRdCiGMai
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) January 9, 2023
According to an article by Golf Magic, LIV Golf, which was launched by Greg Norman, completed its inaugural year with eight tournaments. These events have prize funds of $25 million each, with an additional $5 million directed toward a team competition. Players who have signed deals to play with LIV Golf have been suspended by the PGA Tour. The list includes British Open champion, Cameron Smith and even Joaquin Niemann.
Read More: PGA Tour Adds Another Strategic Ally Amid Rising Tensions With LIV Golf
In addition to the on-course rivalry, the two leagues are also locked in an antitrust lawsuit. LIV Golf sued the PGA Tour, and the Tour filed a countersuit. The trial for the initial lawsuit, which was filed in August, is scheduled to begin in January 2024. The end of June serves as the deadline for submitting a request for summary judgment.
Jay Monahan stays silent on whether he’d answer a call from Greg Norman
Jay Monahan recently made his first public comments since the Tour Championship at East Lake. He chose to remain silent when asked about his relationship with Greg Norman, the owner of LIV Golf. Monahan did not indicate whether he would be willing to speak with Norman.
Monahan did, however, address the current state of the golf industry. He made a note that there are two rival leagues operating independently of each other. The LIV Golf League’s second season is set to begin in February. What do you have to say about Monahan’s comment? What do you think—will he pick up the call of Greg Norman from the rival LIV golf team or not?
Write your answers in our comment sections below and stay tuned to read more such articles on our website.
