PGA-LIV Golf: Players express 'shock and anger' at controversial merger
The Saudi-backed Liv Golf tour has been controversial
PA
Professional golfers have expressed their shock and a sense of betrayal at the news that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour were merging with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series; while a group representing relatives of victims of 9/11 says leaders of the PGA Tour should be “ashamed of their hypocrisy and greed”.
Reports suggest Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods - two of the biggest supporters of the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf - were both kept in the dark about the stunning deal announced on Tuesday.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan says he understands that he will be labelled a hypocrite and admitted players who turned down millions to join LIV Golf could be compensated following the shock declaration of peace in golf’s civil war.
Monahan faced calls to resign at an “intense and certainly heated” players’ meeting.
Phil Mickelson is one player who signed up to the Liv Golf tour
PA
“I recognise that people are going to call me a hypocrite,” Monahan said.
“Any time I’ve said anything I’ve said it with the information I had at that moment, and I said it based on someone that’s trying to compete for the PGA Tour and our players.
“I accept those criticisms, but circumstances do change, and I think looking at the big picture got us to this point.
“It probably didn’t seem this way to them but as I looked to those players that have been loyal to the PGA Tour, I’m confident they made the right decision.“
They have helped re-architect the future of the PGA Tour, they have moved us to a more competitive model. We have significantly invested in our business in 2023, we’re going to do so in ’24.”
Monahan also noted that serious conversations need to be had in relating to players who took money to join the LIV Golf as well as players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy who took a stand against the Saudi backed series.
“Ultimately everything needs to be considered. Ultimately what you’re talking about is an equalisation over time and I think that’s a fair and reasonable concept.”