PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan steps back due to ‘medical situation’
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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has faced stinging criticism in the wake of the PGA Tour’s shock merger with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LOS ANGELES – Under-fire PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan is stepping away from day-to-day operations of the tour as he recovers from an undisclosed medical situation, a statement said on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old has faced stinging criticism
A joint statement from Monahan and the PGA Tour policy board announced that he would step back from his duties for an unspecified period as he recovers.
The statement said: “The board fully supports Jay and appreciates everyone respecting his privacy.”
It also said that PGA Tour chief operating officer Ron Price and Tyler Dennis, executive vice-president of the tour, would lead “day-to-day operations” in Monahan’s absence.
“We will provide further updates as appropriate,” it added.
Price and Dennis also released a statement that read: “We have a strong and experienced leadership team in place and our priority is to support our players and continue the work under way to further lead the PGA Tour and golf’s future.”
Monahan was the target of fury by PGA Tour players last week after news broke of the bombshell agreement that will see the tour and Europe’s DP World Tour join forces with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the backers of LIV Golf.
Monahan – who had railed against LIV Golf since its inception while simultaneously lobbying star PGA Tour players to resist huge paydays to join the rival circuit – was accused of hypocrisy after the volte face.
Speaking in a media conference call following the announcement of the merger, he said he understood the criticism directed his way. “I recognise people are going to call me a hypocrite,” Monahan said.
He also expressed regret for not informing families of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks of the deal beforehand. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in the terrorism acts on New York and Washington were Saudi nationals.
“In allowing confidentiality to prevail, I did not communicate to very important constituents, including the families of 9/11, and I regret that. I really do,” Monahan added. The 9/11 Families United coalition had been one of the staunchest critics of LIV Golf.
Monahan had invoked the issue of 9/11 during his campaign against LIV Golf in 2022, asking players whether they had “ever had to apologise” for being members of the PGA Tour, implying that those who had left or are considering to leave for LIV Golf should first think of apologising.
9/11 Families United chair Terry Strada accused PGA Tour leaders of “hypocrisy and greed”. Strada, who lost her husband Tom in the attack on the World Trade Centre, added that “our entire 9/11 community has been betrayed by commissioner Monahan”. AFP
