PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan in awkward exchange with reporter over PIF question: "It's just not that simple"

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan says there are no further White House meetings planned with LIV Golf. 

In February, the Tour held 'constructive talks' in Washington about the reunification of the men's game with LIV mastermind, chairman and Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan 

American president Donald Trump and Tiger Woods were also in the room but no agreement has been announced despite the 15-time major winner recently declaring the split will end sooner rather than later. 

Monahan addressed reporters on Tuesday ahead of the 2025 Players Championship but, again, provided no substantive update as to whether an agreement can or ever will be reached between the tours. 

"The talks are real, they're substantial, and they're being driven at the top levels of both organisations," Monahan said. 

"Those talks have been significantly bolstered by president Trump's willingness to serve as a facilitator. 

"President Trump is a lifelong golf fan. He believes strongly in the game's power and potential, and he has been exceedingly generous with his time and influence to help bring a deal together.

"He wants to see the game reunified. We want to see the game reunified. His involvement has made the prospect of reunification very real."

Monahan praised Al-Rumayyan's 'vision' and claimed he could see a time whereby the powerful Saudi businessman is welcome onto the PGA Tour's board. 

"We believe there's room to integrate important aspects of LIV Golf into the PGA Tour platform," he said.

"We're doing everything that we can to bring the two sides together.

"That said, we will not do so in a way that diminishes the strength of our platform or the very real momentum we have with our fans and our partners. 

"So while we've removed some hurdles, others remain. But like our fans, we still share the same sense of urgency to get to a resolution."

Monahan declined to say what those hurdles were or what ones remain. 

Asked by one reporter what Al-Rumayyan 'seeks most in a potential investment', Monahan said: "Listen, [it will come as] no surprise to you [that] I'm a hundred percent focused on the PGA Tour and focused on everything that I control. 

"I think that's a question for him to answer, not for me to answer.

"But like I said, we've committed ourselves to these negotiations. There's been a lot of discussions, meetings along the way. Had the opportunity to understand and get to know Yasir, but I don't have anything further to add."

Monahan was asked if the Tour would create a pathway back for some LIV players - such as major champions Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm - before an official agreement is announced given the fatigue felt by players, fans, broadcasters and sponsors. 

"I don't have any additional information to share beyond what I've already shared," Monahan said. 

The 54-year-old commissioner said there are no further meetings planned. 

Asked if there was a deadline to make a deal, Monahan said: "Well, I think it's just not that simple. 

"When you're in the middle of these negotiations and they're as complex as they are, you know, the reason I say 'urgency' is that that's what we're operating with, but there isn't a concrete deadline that's been established."

Elsewhere, Monahan confirmed the PGA Tour plans to trial a new pace-of-play policy on the developmental Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Americas. 

Shot penalties will be imposed on the slow players, he said. 

In addition, Monahan confirmed that pace of play data will be released later this year.

Rangefinders will also be tested in the six events between the 2025 Masters and US PGA Championship in an effort to deal with pace of play issues, he said. 

Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa agreed that the PGA Tour should start naming and shaming the slowpokes.