Ernie Els absolutely loses it with PGA Tour chief: "You do s--- like this!?"
Ernie Els has slammed PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan for 'going rogue' over the circuit's deal with LIV Golf's Saudi backers.
Ernie Els has torn into Jay Monahan, accusing the PGA Tour commissioner of 'going rogue' by cutting a deal with LIV Golf's backers.
In an extraordinary interview with SI's Bob Harig, The Big Easy labelled what has transpired in men's professional golf as 'a shambles'.
The South African, now 53, told the publication there would have been no way players would have allowed something like this to happen in his prime.
Els is referring to the fact the PGA Tour announced a 'framework agreement' with Saudi Arabia's PIF on 6 June to the surprise of everyone.
It brought to an end, at least temporarily, the expensive litigation between both organisations.
Monahan was labelled a hypocrite for previously imploring PGA Tour members to think twice before bolting to LIV Golf.
He famously asked: "When was the last time you had to apologise for being a member of the PGA Tour?"
It was alleged he also stabbed Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods in the back after the duo carried so much water for the PGA Tour over the last 13 months.
Els told SI:
Els is playing the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. There are reports that LIV Golf and Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is in attendance at Hoylake.
Even during his annual pre-tournament news conference Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of the R&A, wouldn't rule out the major accepting investment from the Saudis.
Els added:
Monahan stepped away from his role temporarily in the day's after the 'framework agreement' was announced owing to an unexplained health condition.
In the interim Jimmy Dunne, who helped broker the peace deal in secret by reaching out to Al Rumayyan over WhatsApp, and Ron Price deputised in his absence.
Monahan also wasn't present as Dunne and Price faced a grilling from US lawmakers over the PGA Tour's agreement with the Saudis.
Els wants Monahan's replacement to know they will be answering to Al-Rumayyan.
"Whoever is the commissioner, whoever is left, they are going to be answering to him," Els said. "I don't know how the hell they can't see that."
Open Championship 2023 info:
- The Open Championship field
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- Streaming information
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