PGA Tour pros submit lawyer’s letter to Policy Board

Lawyers representing 21 pros have written to the PGA Tour to demand “full disclosure” on the circuit’s negotiations with prospective private equity partners.

First shared by Tron Carter of No Laying Up, the letter, prepared by New York law firm Susman Godfrey, was sent to the PGA Tour Policy Board on Sunday.

It writes to “obtain information about the PGA Tour’s consideration of several proposals that will alter the structure of the PGA Tour and may have a profound impact on our clients’ lives and the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of other tour players.”

Amongst those named in the letter are former Masters champion Danny Willett and former PGA Tour player-director James Hahn.

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The others are:

Ryan Brehm
Wesley Bryan
MF Daffue
Dylan Frittelli
Tommy Gainey
Brent Grant
Lanto Griffin
Scott Harrington
Andrew Landry
Nate Lashley
Brandon Matthews
William McGirt
Grayson Murray
Scott Piercy
Chez Reavie
Chris Stroud
Callum Tarren
DJ Trahan
Richy Werenski

The letter continues: “The Board has recently received multiple bids by prospective capital partners that will potentially transform how the PGA Tour operates, who controls it, and who owns it.

“All but a handful of PGA Tour players have been kept entirely in the dark about the prospective transaction, how it will impact them, and what conflicts of interests may impact the decision-makers.

“We demand full disclosure of the details and analyses of any proposals by prospective capital partners, which should be shared properly with all tour players.”

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The letter comes hot on the heels of the PGA Tour Policy Board announcing plans to advance to the next stage of investment negotiations with a consortium led by Fenway Sports Group, whilst also continuing to explore the ‘framework agreement’ opportunity presented by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

There have been murmurings of discontent amongst many of the tour’s ‘rank and file’ over the extent to which they have been informed and involved in the organisation’s negotiating, but this letter represents a significant escalation.

The missive also demands a meeting with the independent directors on the Policy Board in order to “understand the process that has been followed and will be followed going forward”, whilst also seeking “assurances that all conflicts of interest will be disclosed and will not be permitted to colour the decision-making process”.

The letter concludes: “The PGA Tour players who have been kept in the dark about this process are the lifeblood of the tour. They deserve to know what is happening.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor