PGA chief says players who rejected LIV Golf millions could be compensated

07 June 2023 , 10:28

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PGA chief says players who rejected LIV Golf millions could be compensated

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan admits players who turned down LIV Golf to remain loyal could be compensated after the shock merger between the tours.

Golf has been involved in a civil war for 12 months following the introduction of LIV Golf, but has rivalled the PGA and DP World Tours. Big names had defected to the rebel tour, receiving huge up-front sums to make the switch, whilst others had opted to remain where they were.

The likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, arguably the sport's two biggest names, opted to stay with the PGA Tour and have been vocal in their opposition to the Saudi-backed tour. Now, after the three competitions came together on Tuesday, Monahan concedes discussions will take place about financially compensating those who turned down LIV offers.

He said: "I think those are all the serious conversations that we're going to have. Ultimately, everything needs to be considered. Ultimately, what you're talking about is an equalisation over time and I think that's a fair and reasonable concept."

Monahan himself has been outspoken in his opposition to LIV and the way in which they formulated the tour. He saw the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka all resign from the PGA to play on LIV, but will now be welcomed back after an agreement was found.

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The PGA chief has been particularly critical of LIV and its source of wealth. Monahan previously cited the 9/11 attacks, but has now opted to team up with LIV, which has seen him cop major criticism from a group representing relatives of victims of 9/11.

Tiger Woods reportedly turned down huge sums from LIV Golf

Monahan has admitted: "I recognise that people are going to call me a hypocrite. Any time I've said anything I've said it with the information I had at that moment, and I said it based on someone that's trying to compete for the PGA Tour and our players. I accept those criticisms, but circumstances do change, and I think looking at the big picture got us to this point.

"It probably didn't seem this way to them, but as I looked to those players that have been loyal to the PGA Tour, I'm confident they made the right decision. They have helped re-architect the future of the PGA Tour, they have moved us to a more competitive model. We have significantly invested in our business in 2023, we're going to do so in '24."

There are calls for Monahan to resign in light of the recent merger with three-time winner on the PGA Tour Johnson Wagner saying: "I think the most powerful moment was when a player quoted commissioner Monahan from last year when he said 'as long as I'm commissioner of the PGA Tour, no player that took LIV money will ever play the PGA Tour again'. It just seems like a lot of backtracking."

Samuel Meade