Jay Monahan on hunt for new PGA Tour CEO

Jay Monahan will join the hunt for a new PGA Tour chief executive in another significant shake-up within golf’s corridors of power.

Monahan will remain as commissioner and join the PGA Tour’s Policy Board, as well as helping with the recruitment of the next CEO.

The surprise announcement was made by Monahan in a rare end-of-year address on Tuesday morning.

“We’re bringing new perspectives onto our team to help realise the incredible opportunities ahead for our sport,” Monahan said. “Including launching a search for a CEO of the PGA Tour.

“We can learn so much from across the world of sport and entertainment and I’m excited to meet candidates for this important new role.”

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Arthur Blank, who is on the board of PGA Tour Enterprises – the newly-formed commercial arm of the circuit – will head the search, with player directors Tiger Woods and Adam Scott also set to have a say in the appointment of the new leader.

In the memo to staff, Monahan suggested that the new CEO would not be an internal hire, stating that the circuit would “continue to look outside the organisation to bring in fresh perspectives and complementary capabilities that will make our team even stronger.”

“This is a role that I’ve advocated for since we created PGA Tour Enterprises and formalised investment with the Strategic Sports Group,” Monahan added, referring to January’s landmark $1.5bn deal with a consortium of US investors.

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“Similar approaches have proven successful in the NBA, NLB and NHL, and we’re confident it’s going to add value to the Tour.”

The PGA Tour’s new search for a CEO is just the latest notable move in a complete changing of the guard among the powerbrokers in elite golf. Several major organisations in the sport have made key personnel changes this year in an ever-evolving landscape.

Greg Norman has confirmed he is stepping aside as LIV Golf’s CEO and is soon to be replaced by former Philadelphia 76ers boss Scott O’Neil.

Guy Kinnings is the new man in charge of the DP World Tour, while former Northampton Saints rugby boss Mark Darbon has been announced as Martin Slumbers’ replacement at the R&A.

Elsewhere, executive vacancies are still to be filled at the PGA of America – the governing body of professionals that controls the Ryder Cup – and on the LPGA Tour after the resignation of commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan earlier this month.