Unfazed Jay Monahan Marks PGA Tour as the Ultimate Winner Over LIV Golf’s World Class Players

Jay Monahan reiterated his vision that the PGA Tour is still the strongest Tour in the world. That’s despite rival LIV Golf snatching a handful of big names. Two of last year’s four Major champions are now part of the breakaway side. Still, Monahan said, “PGA TOUR, in terms of our strength, and we are here at the week of PLAYERS, and you’ve got 144 players competing in this championship, and they’re the greatest players in the world, and this is the greatest tour in the world… It’s the highest expression of individual achievement in our game.”

Monahan believes in the Tour’s star-making power. The Tour has created new pathways to bring upcoming stars into the fold. The top ten in the Race to Dubai rankings earn PGA Tour cards from this season. It’s how Matthieu Pavon became the first French player since World War II to win on Tour. The PGA Tour commissioner added, “It (strength) comes from the strength of your membership, and the fact that, as I mentioned earlier, you have Nick Dunlap and Mathew Pavon and Jake Knapp, we consistently as an organization regenerate talent and create stars.”

Jay Monahan still places trust on the members of the Tour. “In terms of the values of the game, the integrity of the game, the ethos of the game, I look at our members and their commitment to their craft and their commitment to this organization, and as we sit here today, I’ve never been more proud and I’ve never been more assured that this organization is going to continue to grow. We’re going to continue to do it in some really powerful, in some powerful ways.”

Post the merger agreement, players lost their faith in the commissioner. Rory McIlroy felt backstabbed, and Xander Schauffele called for a change in the leadership. Even now, there are disgruntled voices heard from the inside. But Monahan believed he was still the best man for the job.

Jay Monahan pats himself on the back

Monahan admitted that there had been some mistakes on his part. The rollout of the June 6 merger agreement was horrendous. Nevertheless, Monahan has been appointed as the CEO of the newly-formed PGA Tour Enterprises, a for-profit entity of which PIF will also be a part after the merger agreement reaches a breakthrough. “I can’t generalize as it relates to players, but clearly given the responsibility I’ve been given by both boards, I have the support of our board, and I am the right person to lead us forward,” the sitting commissioner added. 

Monahan also reaffirmed his commitment to a deal with PIF. Despite whatever impression the world got after Strategic Sports Group’s $3 billion investment, Monahan said that the best way forward is to partner with PIF. “I do believe that negotiating a deal with PIF is the best outcome,” the 53-year-old commissioner told the presspersons at Ponte Vedra. 

Read More: ‘Mentally Exhausting’: Jay Monahan Hit With a Harsh Reality Check From 4x PGA Tour Winner

On several points, current players have a disagreement. Rory McIlroy would want the LIV Golfers back without any punishment, something that would massively disappoint Rickie Fowler and Scottie Scheffler. Monahan admitted the decision isn’t “going to be able to satisfy everyone, and that goes for both sides.” The Tour commissioner refined from giving any timeline of when a deal can be reached. 

Read More: ’Not a Member’: Jay Monahan Reveals Anthony Kim’s PGA Tour Chances, Hints at a Non-Privilege Return