28 December 2023 , 14:22
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Former World No. 1 Ernie Els called for PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan to be removed from his position amid the contentious merger with LIV Golf.
Earlier this month, the divide between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf depend as Jon Rahm became the latest big name to defect in favour of the breakaway tour backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The Spaniard agreed a deal worth up to £450million, representing the biggest coup for the circuit since its noisy arrival as a rival to the PGA Tour.
Back in June, LIV Golf sensationally agreed to merge with the PGA Tour and suggest an end to golf’s immense divide. The PIF has received staunch opposition since it began entering sports, with many - including the PGA Tour - pointing to its human rights atrocities as a factor, but the merger was a stunning development that left many players disillusioned.
The merger means the pending legal dispute between the tours will be placed on the back burner as they attempt to co-exist as a single entity. A signed agreement will combine the PGA Tour and LIV's commercial operations and rights into a new company that is yet to be named, along with the DP World Tour.
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News of the merger sent shockwaves around the sport in the summer - and Els is frustrated with Monahan’s role in the framework agreement. Back in July at the Open, South African insisted Monahan wouldn't have initiated the negotiation if LIV had been founded during his playing days.
“If this happened in my day, in my prime, there’s no way he’s around,” Els said via Sports Illustrated. “No way. And the board has to change. You do s*** like this. I’m sorry, it’s not right.
“Talk to us, tell us what you’re going to do, plan on negotiating. Don’t just go rogue as a member of the board and come back with a deal and think we’re all going to say yes. You’re affecting people’s lives. You’re affecting the professional game. It’s just so bad.”
Els also commented on PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and suggested the team aspect of LIV Golf is not a true version of golf. He added: “I know Yasir, I know some of those Saudi guys. They love the game. But this [LIV format] is circus golf. That’s not where I stand.
Jay Monahan has been heavily criticised for his actions in agreeing a merger deal with LIV Golf (Getty Images)“Team golf doesn’t work. It works maybe in a two-month, three-month happy season. Get these guys together, get teams together and play around the world. But [then] play real golf.”
Golf icon Tiger Woods became a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board as Player Director, and the 15-time major champion will play a key role in deciding the future of the agreement. In November, Woods revealed the player directors have been doing their best to get the deal done in the right way by the end of the year.
“Getting the deal done, but getting it done the right way,” Woods said. “We have multiple options, we would like a deal done December 31. All parties understand that. There are other options out there.
“As long as a player has input and has faster decisions, as long as the board recognises that. That's one of the key things the player directors have focused on. The entire board has been accepting of that.”
The LIV Golf and PGA Tour potential merger is expected to be finalised by the end of 2023, although LIV has announced its schedule for 2024.
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