Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele have ‘trust issues’ with PGA Tour boss

Two of golf’s biggest names have warned that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan’s return will not be welcomed with open arms.

Ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open, Schauffele admitted that his feelings and trust towards Monahan have changed.

Former world number one Jordan Spieth agreed, citing the American will be preparing a plan to ‘build back’ the trust players have lost in him.

Monahan, who took over a month off from his duties to recover from a ‘medical situation’, is set to return to his post next Monday following a whirlwind period of uncertainty.

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Schauffele said: “If you want to call it one of the rockier times on Tour, the guy was supposed to be there for us, (and he) wasn’t.

“I’d say he has a lot of tough questions to answer in his return, and I don’t trust people easily. He had my trust, and he has a lot less of it now – I don’t stand alone when I say that.

“He’ll just have to answer our questions when he comes back.”

The controversial ‘merger’ proved a remarkable U-turn from the PGA Tour chief, who continues to face significant backlash from his players over the proposed deal.

While describing the framework agreement and concurring situation as a ‘shock from the get-go’, Spieth questioned Monahan’s reliability.

The 29-year-old said: “Clearly, I think we would probably like to have seen him at the Senate hearing if he was able to do so, just as a representative of the Tour.

“Just based on conversations I’ve had with players, and I think he realises that (loss of trust). I’m sure he’s preparing for a plan to try and build it back.”

For Schauffele, this week’s defending champion, there is hope that some positive can arrive from the situation as he hit out at what players have missed out on.

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“I expect some good things to come from everything, and hopefully, it’s some of our players getting more of that transparency that we have been asking for, for quite some time,” he said.

Schauffele will get his title defence underway on the Renaissance Club at 7:59 tomorrow morning, while Spieth tees off at 8:10.

Recent developments also led to the resignation of policy board member Randall Stephenson, a close friend of Jordan Spieth.

He added: “It’s a voluntary board looking out for the players’ best interests and the future of PGA Tour golf, and I think he did as much as anybody to help put that in the right place.

“But I think his letter says how he feels and makes a lot of sense to me on where he’s at regarding the entire situation.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.