PGA Tour boss addresses potential Trump venue return

PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan has discussed the possibility of the established circuit making a return to a Donald Trump-owned venue.

It’s been 19 years since the Doral Open – a Tour event won twice by Tiger Woods – was played at Trump Doral, one of the US Presidents golf courses, and nine years since the WGC Cadillac Championship was staged at the Florida resort.

But that could soon change.

In a conversation with Eamon Lynch, Monahan was asked if Trump wanted anything in return for his part in the ongoing negotiations to unify the men’s professional game.

“I’d say two things on that front,” he replied. “His focus is on solving the opportunity, and that’s reunifying the game.

“In terms of the PGA Tour and looking to our future, that’s something we would initiate. Those are two different paths. The path he’s been involved on most closely is reunifying the game.”

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So, would a potential return be connected to the current talks?

Well, “we’ve been at Doral in the past,” Monahan said, “and we would love to return.”

Currently, LIV Golf and the Legends Tour are the only two circuits to host events at Trump-owned properties.

LIV Golf Miami has been contested at Doral for the last two years, while the Staysure Seniors PGA Championship has found a home at Trump International Golf Club, Scotland.

It comes after the PGA of America stripped Trump National in Bedminster of the 2022 PGA Championship, as organisers said using the course would be “detrimental”.

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The same belief is held on the west coast of Scotland, where an Open Championship remains off the cards for Trump Turnberry.

That decision is also due to a lack of revenue at the Ayrshire venue, according to R&A boss Mark Darbon.

Meanwhile, Monahan told Lynch that he is grateful for Trump’s role in the current peace talks.

“The President has a clear passion for the game and publicly stated that he wants golf to be reunified, Monahan said.

“He talked about the need to come under one tour with all the best players in the world playing on that one tour. Beyond being the leader of the free world, he understands deal making and he’s playing a very constructive role trying to help us get there.”

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.