PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan found his job in jeopardy while meeting with players following the announcement of the shock LIV Golf merger.
In a shocking move, the PGA Tour reversed its stance on the Saudi-backed series, revealed it and the DP World Tour had struck a deal with LIV to combine their businesses into a new, yet-to-be-named company.
Monahan revealed in a press conference that the merger had been in the works for seven weeks, according to Dan Rapaport, but that PGA Tour stars, including Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, were left in the dark, forced to sort it out in real life . time on social media.
The PGA loyalists were outraged by the move, with many reportedly turning against the commissioner at a ‘controversial’ players meeting at Oakdale Golf and Country Club ahead of the RBC Canadian Open.
Speaking to the Golf Channel, American pro Johnson Wagner revealed that the room erupted in a standing ovation when calls were made for new Tour leadership.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan received calls to resign at a players meeting on Tuesday
Players like Rory McIlroy (left) and Tiger Woods (right) were kept in the dark
He added that there was “a lot of anger” in the room and that “90 percent” of the assembled players reacted negatively to the deal and Monahan.
Six-time PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan had tweeted before the meeting, predicting his fellow pros’ feelings towards the commissioner.
He posted, “I wouldn’t be surprised if players explore their options to remove Jay. Or at least form a union.’
Australian golfer Geoff Ogilvy added that some players called the commissioner a ‘hypocrite’ at the meeting, but that Monahan ‘took it’.
After the meeting, Monahan told reports that he understood his actions would be viewed by some as hypocritical.
“I recognize everything I’ve said in the past in my previous positions. I recognize that people are going to call me a hypocrite,” he said. “Every time I said something, I said it with the information I had at the time.”
Some players didn’t even bother to come to the meeting, as Tommy Fleetwood reportedly shrugged and said he was practicing his game when asked why he skipped the showdown.
Ogilvy also suggested the Tour was forced to break the news on Tuesday ahead of an official announcement to players because it would be leaked.
Tuesday’s merger comes one year after LIV Golf’s first event and ends the legal battle with the PGA.
While the PGA was accused of violating antitrust laws by banning LIV players from the Tour, the leading golf circuit refuted its Saudi-backed rivals, accusing the outfit of interfering in its deals.
Players who defected to LIV Golf were banned from PGA events, but continued to play in the majors. For example, Koepka of LIV Golf won the PGA Championship last month.
The Tour announced a merger with Saudi Arabia-backed LIV golf (photo Yasir Al-Rumayyan)
The merger between PGA and LIV came as a complete surprise both outside and inside the sport.
It was only a year ago at the Canadian Open that Monahan attacked LIV Golf by rhetorically asking his players, “Have you ever had to apologize for being a member of the PGA Tour?”
Even PGA players, who had stood allegiance to the Tour rather than taking the Saudi millions, were caught off guard by the news.
“Shocked and confused,” said an unidentified golfer Bar stool by Dan Rapaport.
“Indignant,” said another. “They didn’t tell us.”
“There’s nothing like finding out through Twitter that we’re merging with a tour we said we never would,” read a tweet from golfer Mackenzie Hughes.
And when asked if Norman was aware of the deal, PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan told CNBC, “I called just before that [interview].’
Saudi Arabia has come under attack for its treatment of women, homosexuals and corporal punishment, among other things. Last year, the kingdom executed nearly 200 people (compared to 18 in the United States).
In addition, Saudi Arabia angered the United States in 2018 with the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Khashoggi was invited to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was murdered and dismembered.
Victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack have also torn apart the PGA’s decision to merge with LIV Gulf, while denouncing Saudi Arabia’s role in the tragedy.