PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan confirms unsurprising news with bombshell update

Jay Monahan has confirmed the search has begun for a new chief executive of the PGA Tour. 

The revelation was made by the commissioner himself in a rare public announcement on 17 December. 

"We're bringing new perspectives onto our team to help realise the incredible opportunities ahead for our sport," Monahan said. 

"Including launching a search for a CEO of the PGA Tour.

"We can learn so much from across the world of sport and entertainment and I'm excited to meet candidates for this important new role."

Monahan has been the commissioner of the Tour since 2017 when he succeeded Tim Finchem. 

Under his watch, he has had his fair share of successes and failures. 

Monahan successfully negotiated a nine-year media rights deal, worth $7bn, in 2020. 

Players have benefitted as purses have continually risen throughout his tenure.

A strategic partnership with the DP World Tour has also seen the Tour consolodate its position. 

And under his leadership, the Tour has donated significant sums of money to charity. 

In 2023 alone, the circuit donated more than $3bn to charitable efforts. 

Monahan was also praised over how he handled the pandemic. 

The Tour was among the first major sports organisations to return. 

However, Monahan has received his fair share of criticism over how he handled the threat of LIV Golf. 

Monahan initially took a hard-line stance against players who played in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series, opting to indefinitely suspend them. 

It led to a protracted and costly legal battle. 

Monahan also took a moral stand, imploring golfers who were thinking about playing in LIV events to think about the consequences. 

Alluding to Saudi Arabia's dismal human rights record and role in 9/11, Monahan memorably said: "When was the last time you had to apologise for being a member of the PGA Tour?"

Monahan was then accused of being a hypocrite when, on 6 June 2023, he appeared on national television with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to announce a framework agreement between the Tour, LIV's financiers and the DP World Tour.  

The deal was struck over a series of secret meetings across the globe without players' knowledge. 

Several players tore into Monahan in a players' meeting before the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. 

Rory McIlroy said the announcement left him feeling like a 'sacrificial lamb' given he had spent the previous 12 months as the Tour's unofficial spokesperson in the battle against LIV. 

The stress of the fallout meant Monahan took a one-month leave of absence. 

When he returned, he acknowledged that he made a mistake. 

At this point, Tiger Woods joined the Tour's policy board and the 15-time major champion warned Monahan what transpired 'cannot' happen again. 

To some, Woods is the de-facto commissioner of the Tour. 

Along with being the commissioner, Monahan also serves as the CEO of the for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises, the commercial entity formed by the circuit and Strategic Sports Group. 

PGA Tour Enterprises allows golfers to have equity in the Tour. 

According to the PGA Tour's tax return - as first reported by Sportico - Monahan was paid more than $23m in regular and deferred compensation. 

His base salary was $1,887,096.

Elsewhere, LIV Golf are also set to announce Greg Norman's replacement. 

Norman confirmed earlier in the month LIV are hiring a new commissioner. 

It is understood former NBA and NHL executive Scott O'Neill will succeed the two-time Open champion. 

O'Neill took part in the pro-am ahead of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler's exhibition match against LIV recruits Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in Las Vegas. 

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