The golf world has been dominated by eye-popping financial figures lately, from billion-dollar mergers to record-breaking player contracts and prize pools reshaping the sport. But well, most of it has been associated with the LIV Golfers since 2022. From the staggering signing amount they have been taking to deflect, to the recent fine concerns that have been raised by the DPWT for them to clear.

Amid the wave of the LIV Golf money, even the PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan’s earnings have been often brought to light. For instance, in 2021, his salary was hovering around a whopping $14 million annually, which increased to almost a whopping $19 million in 2022. And as it turns out, the amount only keeps exceeding, that too in leaps.

NUCLR Golf took to their official X account and reported the news. “#BIG BUCKS — A new report from @Sportico reveals that PGA TOUR commissioner Jay Monahan raked in $23M in compensation last year”, they wrote in the post. This is both in regular and deferred compensation through 2023 and by a copy of the league’s latest filed tax return. “The sum includes $12.1M in bonuses, $2.5M in retirement benefits, and $6.7M in long-term incentive compensation. He earned a base salary of over $1.8M. PGA TOUR Inc. made $1.8 Billion last year, per a filing. Has Jay earned his pay?”, they added. 

$23 million is indeed a large sum, given the current scenarios in the golf world. No wonder the news wreaked havoc among the golf community.

The golf community calls Jay Monahan the worst commissioner in golf history

Jay Monahan’s inability to decide about the PIF merger has made him the center stage for a lot of criticism from the fans. His initial strong opposition to LIV Golf followed by an abrupt decision to negotiate a merger with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund created significant mistrust among people, further fueling the criticism. The merger was announced after a lengthy discussion back in July 2023, and the deadline for the agreement was December 31, 2023. It is almost going to be a year but there is still no update, which makes them all the more frustrated.

Taking to this, one of them commented, “Total waste of money. Worst commissioner in golf history.” While another along the same line commented in utter rage and wrote, “Yeah sure if his compensation is based on double and triple talk, playing both sides of the fence, word salad, and being an overall disingenuous person, then yes”.

Several top players like Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and others have deflected to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour and Jay Monahan did nothing to retain them, apart from banning them from the Tour. Additionally, in October, one of the longest sponsorships for the Tour decided not to continue with them. The Shriners Children’s Hospital will no longer be the title sponsor for the TPC Summerlin fall event, and this was announced in October.

With so many downfalls, he has already done enough to enrage them. Taking to this, one of them wrote, “Worst commissioner in pro sports. It’s ridiculous he still has a job. Let a rival league take half his top players and he’s losing sponsors left and right.”

Well, not to forget the most important issue. The PGA Tour has been facing a significant downfall in the 2024 season. For instance, the final round of the Masters drew 9.58 million viewers, a decline of about 20% compared to 2023, despite both years offering similar drama. Excluding the COVID-era Masters in 2020 and 2021, this marked the lowest-rated Masters since 1993. While the 2023 event coincided with Easter, traditionally boosting viewership, the 2024 numbers still reflect a significant drop.

Taking to this, one of them wrote, “2025 is gonna be a bad year for PGA Tour, TV ratings are gonna crash after this shit show of money. Good Lord where does it ever end. Jay Monahan at 23 million per year, for freaking what???”

This year, a lot of changes were announced for the 2026 season of the PGA Tour. From cutting downfield size to reducing Monday Qualifiers, and fewer PGA Tour pro cards being given. Everything except the main issue is being looked at by Jay Monahan – the merger. Taking to this, one of them simply commented, “Something tells me that Jay’s reign over the PGA will come to an end in 2025! Let’s see what happens….?”

Well, as it turns out, Jay Monahan has clearly dug out his own grave, losing every fan following day by day. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments section below!