(Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan offered very short but confident answers Tuesday about the PGA’s renewed potential, its ability to bring together the two rival tours and to be the undisputed leader.
“I am the right leader for the future. I know that, Monahan said ahead of the Players Championship. I know it, deep in my heart, and I am determined to achieve it. »
As for where this will end up, that remains to be seen. Monahan told a news conference – his first in nearly seven months – that while the pace of talks with the Saudis who fund the LIV circuit is “accelerating,” the process must remain private.
“Although there are still several key issues to resolve, we share a common desire to be more discreet and to develop the full global potential of golf,” he said.
He therefore offered hope in the conclusion of an agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), which had announced the conclusion of an agreement in principle on June 6 with the circuit of the PGA to create a business investment company called PGA Tour Enterprises.
Today, the only minority investor in this project is the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), a consortium of American sports franchise owners who agreed last January to invest US$3 billion in the adventure. The initial investment of 1.5 billion provides for a compensation program for golfers, who will also obtain shares in the new commercial entity.
Monahan said SSG accompanied him on a trip to Saudi Arabia in January to meet with PIF Director Yasir Al-Rumayyan. The PIF funds the LIV Tour, which last December convinced reigning Masters Champion Jon Rahm to join other major tournament champions such as Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau.
“I believe the best solution is to negotiate an agreement with the PIF,” Monahan said. Obviously, the agreement must be favorable to both parties, as in any situation or negotiation. »
Monahan refused to specify the importance of reaching an agreement with the PIF, which seems to have infinite resources to finance the LIV circuit. He also refused to comment on the future of golf if talks with the PIF fail.
“I am focused on my task of moving the circuit forward, moving the talks forward, and I am hopeful that we will come to an agreement,” he said. Both parties need to work together to find common ground, and if we can’t… We will continue to be competitive and be as competitive a circuit as possible, thanks to new investors like SSG, with immense development potential for the future. »