PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will have a huge challenge when he returns to his job after “a medical issue” if he hopes to access “northern a billion dollars in investment.” He has a bigger task to do, especially if he hopes to keep his position. That is to win back the confidence and trust of his players.
Monahan has been recovering since June 13 from an undisclosed health issue. Last Friday, he sent a message to players informing them that his return to work will be on July 17. He will need to deal with a membership that has used words like “betrayed” in describing their anger over the news that the PGA Tour struck a secretive agreement to form a business entity with Saudi Arabia’s PIF – the financial backer of the rival LIV Golf League. Monahan admits that his reversal of position makes him look like a hypocrite, but to gain back the trust from the players he must show greater contrition.
During his press conference on Wednesday in North Berwick in Scotland, Xander Schaffele, the defending winner of the Genesis Scottish Open confirmed that his trust in Monahan had been eroded.
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“If you’d like to call it a rockier time on Tour, then the guy who was supposed to be with us wasn’t. He had a few health problems. I’m happy that he has said he feels much better. He has some tough questions for me to answer when he returns, and I don’t believe people very easily. He used to have my trust, but he doesn’t anymore. Schauffele added, “I’m not the only one who thinks that.” “Yeah. He’ll have to answer all our questions when he returns.”
Schauffele recalled how, on the morning of the 6th June, the framework agreement announcement was made at 10 am. Schauffele, who was watching CNBC at 10 a.m. ET, was lying in bed with his French Bulldog when his wife told him the news.
Schauffele recalled, “I remember lying there and wanting to go back to sleep. Then I was like laying down with one eye open, then my phone started ringing.” “Unfortunately, it was time to start my day and I had to wake up the little one.”
Schauffele’s was asked whether the news had brought him any peace or harmony.
Schauffele stated, “I’d say that peace and harmony are definitely the opposite to what the announcement brought us players in the majority of cases.” “But as I said or alluded earlier, in any difficult situation, I believe something good will occur. You may not think so when you are knee-deep. “I do hope that some positive things will come out of this. I’m hoping that some of our players get more transparency, which we’ve been demanding for a long time.”
Jordan Spieth echoed the idea that there is a need for more transparency in the deal.
“Honestly, we are in the dark about it,” said Spieth. A three-time major champion and former player director of the Tour’s Board, Spieth admitted that he was unaware of the situation. It’s been a big shock to all the players. I think Jay will be back on Monday, and I’m certain that as he begins to speak to you guys, things may have progressed. We would have liked to see him in the Senate on Tuesday, July 11, as a tour representative. I’m not sure if anything worries me. “I’ve heard both sides of the argument on every aspect of it. If you mention one thing, I have probably heard it from both sides.
Spieth was asked to comment on the trust issues Monahan may face upon his return. He replied, “Yeah quite a lot, based solely on conversations I have had with other players. I think he understands this.” I’m certain he is preparing a plan to rebuild it.
Monahan also has a list of things to do? Filling the vacant seat on the Tour board following the resignation of Randall Stephenson, an independent director. Former AT&T Chairman and CEO served for 12 years. He was also a mentor for Spieth who has been AT&T Ambassador since a decade.
Spieth stated, “I believe he did more than anyone to put the PGA Tour in the right position.” “I think we’ve lost a great asset.”
By: Adam Schupak
Title: PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan to face trust issue with players when he returns
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/07/12/pga-tour-jay-monahan-trust-issues-xander-schauffele-jordan-spieth/
Published Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:00:29 +0000
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