PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has reiterated the tour’s commitment to a deal with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, despite ongoing negotiations and the passage of time. While he emphasized the importance of the deal, he also stressed the need for patience.
Monahan’s comments came at the season-ending Tour Championship, a stark contrast to his remarks a year ago when he expressed unwavering confidence in securing a deal by the end of the year. Since then, the landscape of professional golf has shifted dramatically. The Justice Department intervened, requesting the removal of an anti-poaching clause, and prominent players like Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf, lured by lucrative Saudi offers. The PGA Tour, however, has also made significant strides. They secured a $1.5 billion private equity investment and signed a $3 billion deal with Strategic Sports Group, which includes an equity program for players.
Despite these developments, Monahan remains focused on bringing the best golfers together. “Ultimately, we’re both in a position to bring the best players in the world back together. I think that’s a good and aspirational goal,” he said.
The future of LIV Golf players remains uncertain. While the PGA Tour has announced a one-year waiting period for eligibility, there are additional guidelines for former members. This leaves many LIV golfers in a state of limbo, with their future participation in the PGA Tour dependent on a complex set of factors.
Monahan highlighted the emerging talent within the PGA Tour system, pointing to players like Robert MacIntyre, Matthieu Pavon, Ludvig Aberg, and Nick Dunlap as examples of the tour’s strength.
While a PIF deal remains a priority, Monahan declined to provide specifics about the ongoing negotiations. He acknowledged the complexity of the discussions and emphasized the need for time to achieve a positive outcome. “I think that’s where things stand,” he concluded.
