Jay Monahan refuses to entertain question on PGA Tour executive's resignation
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan refused to open up on the resignation of a high-profile executive who quit on the eve of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Whilst Jay Monahan did reveal stress and anxiety led to his leave of absence after the announcement of the LIV Golf deal, there was one person the under fire PGA Tour boss refused to talk about.
That would be Andy Pazder, who on 8 August brought to an end an association with the PGA Tour that spanned more than three decades.
Pazder resigned before the first leg of the 2023 FedEx Cup playoffs. His departure was confirmed by Monahan in a memo to players before the FedEx St. Jude championship in Memphis.
That was before he held another meeting with the membership to update them on what progress had been made over the framework agreement with LIV Golf's backers.
The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi PIF have until the end of the year to hash out concrete plans for the world of men's professional golf.
Monahan's meeting was snubbed by many players, suggesting he does have a long ways to go if he is to regain their trust after an about-face tour management policy.
Rory McIlroy did attend the meeting, albeit a bit sweaty. McIlroy later took the time to laud the arrival of Tiger Woods to the PGA Tour's policy board.
Monahan said of Pazder:
Pazder had held the position of chief tournaments and competitions officer.
Per tax filings, he was paid more than $2.4m a year.
What's interesting about the timing of his departure is that he was recently appointed by Monahan to be on a committee that would seek to figure our pathways back to the tour for LIV golfers should they wish to return.
This committee, labelled the player benefit program, is also meant to be looking at ways to compensate players who did not leave for the rival league.
Jon Rahm expressed his opinion on this topic before the 151st Open, suggesting PGA Tour stars should not be compensated.
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"Everyone had a choice," said Rahm, although the Spaniard did say that he wouldn't object to more cash by way of a loyalty compensation fund.
Monahan later said that Tyler Dennis and Ron Price will assume Pazder's duties.
Pazder isn't the only high-profile exec to have resigned from his position on the PGA Tour this year.
Randall Stephenson also quit the PGA Tour's policy board, citing unease with the LIV alliance.
He had wanted to resign quicker, Stephenson said in a statement, but didn't feel it was right given Monahan's health issues.
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