Sick & Tired of False Merger Hopes, Golf Fans Pounce on Jay Monahan & Jordan Spieth Over Latest Cryptic Remarks
It was June 6, 2023. The PGA Tour Commissioner and the PIF Governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, shocked the entire golf world with a ceasefire. They also divulged how both parties will merge their businesses for a unified golf tournament alongside the DP World Tour. Skip to the present and it’s already been more than a year now. The details surrounding the agreement still remain sparse, with everyone, including Jay Monahan, painting a mysterious picture around it. Even Jordan Spieth was no different!
Spieth was spotted in an interview ahead of the upcoming event, the John Deere Classic. The PGA Tour Policy Board member was queried about the ongoing negotiations and whether the deal will see finalization this year. Moreover, he was also posed with a question regarding the LIV Golf Pros, who wanted to return to the men’s circuit.
“That’s an extremely loaded question that I could get in a lot of trouble answering,” replied Jordan Spieth as he tackled the question with a smile. But then again, he mentioned how such things take time before disclosing how the talks are currently ongoing; “They’re very active. That’s about as far as I can go for you.” The 30-year-old athlete then pointed out how he would like the framework agreement to be done currently instead of just focusing on its timing. “Obviously if anything can be done right and done sooner, that’s great,” said the pro, “But I would rather see it done correctly and done the right way for golf going forward for the longest amount of time, regardless of how long that takes to get there.”
Jordan Spieth refuses to get hooked on question about what should happen to LIV players who want to play at PGA Tour events, “That is an extremely loaded question that I could get in a lot of trouble answering.” #JohnDeereClassic #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/FotImKrFYY
— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) July 3, 2024
What about Jay Monahan? Well, the 54-year-old official reportedly mentioned how “talks remain ongoing with the PlF,” while pointing out how “he won’t negotiate through the media.” His response, coupled with the 2017 Open Championship winner’s reply, was enough to send the fans into a frenzy.
Netizens fume at Jordan Spieth and Jay Monahan
On June 7, exactly a year after the merger announcement, the PGA Tour’s Transaction Committee, including Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and Rory McIlroy, met with PIF officials in New York. The Northern Irishman, while talking about the same, divulged how the meet-up talked about the future of golf. Meanwhile, Monahan released a memo stating that the agreement would take more time.
A fan couldn’t help but vent out their frustration under the post as they commented, “How much longer will this go on? Get it done this season or go your separate ways & compete against each other.” Another follower, however, called out the PGA Tour Policy Board, including the 15-time major champ, Jordan Spieth, and the four other golfers, as they responded, “Monahan is not in charge of the @PGATOUR. @TigerWoods and his posse are running the @PGATOUR.“
The PGA Tour commissioner has been taking punches from every corner following the merger announcement in 2023. He was even asked to resign from his position by many in the community, with only a few, such as Jack Nicklaus, backing him up. The outcry reached the tweet as well, as one user on X called for the same: “He needs to resign.”
Back in December, Jon Rahm had left the PGA Tour and signed with LIV Golf. This, subsequently, led to a lot of wheels turning in the golf world as the men’s circuit, later signed a deal with SSG and established the PGA TOUR Enterprises. Moreover, they also started showing interest in the negotiations with PIF. A fan alluded to the same as they responded to Jordan Spieth’s interview, “When does Yasir call their bluff and stage a walk away/pursue another big-name player? Reckon that might prompt some more genuine action from PGAT.” Another enthusiast, at the same time, responded, “Playing in PGAT events is different than “bringing them back”. If the PGAT wants stronger fields they could easily allow for sponsor exemptions for LIV players. Done, no need for an agreement other than the PGAT changing their tune. In other words, it won’t happen.”
The fan might have been referring to the Spaniard himself when he had once spoken his mind about some PGA Tour events he would have loved to play in. The golfer had mentioned the likes of the American Express, Farmers Insurance Open, Genesis Invitational, and the PLAYERS Championship while referring to the same. But will he be able to do so? Only time will tell!
