2023-07-08 00:22:34
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will return to work just a month following stepping down due to a “medical situation” saying the two-year battle that ended the surprise trade deal with LIV Golf’s Saudi sponsors “They were exhausting for everyone.”
Monahan told the PGA Tour board of directors, players and staff that he will resume work on July 17, the week of the British Open.
On June 13, he said he would leave the day-to-day work to two executives, a week following they announced the business deal with the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Seven weeks of private meetings preceded the deal and then a week spent trying to meet with the players to explain why the Tour went from fighting the Saudi league to becoming partners.
“I am so sorry that I have not been able to be with you during this time,” Monahan posted. “The last two years have been exhausting for everyone. I experienced the burnout personally in the days following the deal was announced.”
“With the support of my family, and thanks to world-class medical care, my health has improved dramatically.”
The Tour never revealed what that medical situation involved.
The Tour spent millions of dollars in legal fees on the antitrust lawsuit involving LIV Golf and radically changing the structure to double the prize money to around $20 million for major tournaments.
And then came the surprise announcement on June 6 when Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF Governor, revealed that they had been working together.
The PGA Tour was spending millions of dollars on legal fees for the antitrust lawsuits involving LIV Golf, and on a radically changed structure that doubled prize money to the $20 million range at elevated tournaments.
Then came the shocking announcement on June 6 in which Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF, revealed they would be working together.
The five-page deal ignited concerns of a merger. Monahan indicated that there were still details to work out even as Congress and the Justice Department became involved.
“In recent years I have faced challenges that have been posed. With the future of the PGA in doubt, we have devoted all our energies to ensuring a steady move forward in the organization,” Monahan added in the memo.
On the day the deal was unveiled, Monahan spoke to the golfers in what he described as “an intense” meeting. Some players even suggested that it was time to replace him.
A week later at the US Open, Monahan announced that he would step aside and that two of his top executives – Ron Price, the chief operating officer, and Tyler Dennis, the PGA Tour president – would take over the duties. daily.
Over the past month, emotions have calmed down as players try to understand how the trade deal will work.
1688776142
#Jay #Monahan #return #PGA #Tour #commissioner #month
