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Jay Monahan was booed at The PLAYERS Championship as some golf fans made their feelings clear on the PGA Tour commissioner.
Monahan has been under fire ever since blindsiding his players with a top-secret framework agreement with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund which bankrolls LIV Golf last June.
He confirmed in his pre-tournament address at TPC Sawgrass that negotiations were “accelerating” with the sovereign wealth fund over a deal to unify the game.
But it became apparent at TPC Sawgrass that Monahan still has to regain the trust of many players, with Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele among those unconvinced with the 53-year-old’s leadership.
• McEwan: Jay Monahan has lost the dressing room. It’s time for change.• “He’s full of it!” – Jimmy Walker sounds off on Jay Monahan
And while he still has the backing of the likes of Rory McIlroy, Monahan certainly doesn’t appear to be a fan favourite right now amid ongoing uncertainty about the future of a fractured sport.
At the prize ceremony after Scottie Scheffler’s win at the Stadium Course on Sunday, the Tour chief received a frosty reception when introduced by commentator Mike Tirico:
Jay Monahan not exactly getting a warm welcome pic.twitter.com/zQvbTrvloK
— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) March 17, 2024
• Rory McIlroy hits out at Greg Norman and LIV Golf (again)
• Jack Nicklaus weighs in on state of PGA Tour
Monahan continues to weather the storm in men’s professional golf and has been named as the CEO of the new for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises, which will control the circuit’s commercial activities.
Speaking about the PGA Tour’s deal with PIF on Tuesday, he said: “I recently met with the governor of the PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and our negotiations are accelerating as we spend time together.
“While we have several key issues that we still need to work through, we have a shared vision to quiet the noise and unlock golf’s worldwide potential.
“It’s going to take time, but I reiterate what I said at the Tour Championship in August. I see a positive outcome for the PGA Tour and the sport as a whole. Most importantly, I see a positive outcome for our great fans.”
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