A few former and current PGA Tour athletes are so frustrated with the leadership that they hired a law office to get answers.
Susman Godfrey – the firm that represents 21 players – sent a recent letter to the PGA Tour Policy Board requesting “full disclosure and analysis of any proposals from prospective capital partners which should be shared with all Tour Players promptly.”
The players who are at best rank and file members, demand that they meet with the independent Directors on the Policy Board in order to discuss how outside investors are selected, as well as any conflicts of interest.
The letter states that “the PGA Tour players, who were kept in the dark regarding this process, are the lifeblood for the Tour.” They deserve to know what’s happening.
Tron Carter shared a letter dated December 10 on social media. The demands were made on the same day that the Tour announced they had “unanimously chosen an outside investment group with whom to continue negotiations” and continued talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The firm sent Golfweek the following statement: “The PGA Players that we represent demand transparency from the PGA Tour Policy Board, before they make any decisions affecting the permanent structure, economy, or competitive rules for the PGA Tour. The PGA Players can only ensure that decisions are taken for the correct reasons with more information. “Our clients are aware that their goals and sentiments are shared by many PGA Players.”
Tiger Woods was one of the players directors who insisted a few months ago that dealings with potential investors should be done openly. Since the shocking framework agreement announced on June 6, the player directors, who are elected by the membership have sent updates. Why is this group so special?
players expressed their dissatisfaction and lack of confidence in the Tour leadership after the way that the framework agreement and announcement was handled. Let’s take a look at the statistics of their career.
|
Player |
Current OWGR Ranking |
The Best OWGR Ranking |
The best FedEx Cup finish |
Cuttings made |
Tour: Wins and losses |
| Ryan Brehm | 547 | 220 (2017) | 128 (2022) | 53/118 | 1 |
| Wesley Bryan | 704 | 36 (2017) | 41 (2017) | 59/113 | 1 |
| MJ Daffue | 249 | 141 (2023) | 118 (2023) | 29/49 | 0 |
| Dylan Frittelli | 409 | 44 (2018) | 58 (2020) | 78/152 | 1 |
| Tommy Gainey | 729 | 84 (2011) | 62 (2011) | 96/236 | 1 |
| Brent Grant | 440 | 320 (2022) | 166 (2023) | 12/37x | 0 |
| Lanto Griffin | 307 | 49 (2021) | 18 (2020) | 79/126 | 1 |
| James Hahn | 316 | 52 (2016) | 39 (2016) | 150/262 | 2 |
| Scott Harrington | 664 | 185 (2020) | 98 (2020) | 36/87 | 0 |
| Andrew Landry | 740 | 37 (2018) | 66 (2018) | 76/160 | 2 |
| Nate Lashley | 186 | 70 (2020) | 57 (2019) | 79/141 | 1 |
| Brandon Matthews | 764 | 220 (2022) | 192 (2023) | 7/33x | 0 |
| William McGirt | 553 | 24 (2016) | 38 (2016) | 166/277 | 1 |
| Grayson Murray | 134 | 85 (2017) | 66 (2017) | 58/128 | 1 |
| Scott Piercy | 305 | 25 (2016) | 22 (2015) | 249/396 | 4 |
| Chez Reavie | 111 | 8 (2019) | 26 (2019) | 244/397 | 3 |
| Chris Stroud | 638 | 74 (2014) | 43 (2013) | 208/402 | 1 |
| Callum Tarren | 153 | 141 (2023) | 91 (2023) | 27/62 | 0 |
| D.J. Trahan | 1,285 | 62 (2008) | 24 (2008) | 188/368 | 2 |
| Richy Werenski | 501 | 101 (2021) | 39 (2020) | 101/197 | 1 |
| Danny Willett | 182 | 9 (2017) | 85 (2019, 2023) | 79/135 | 1 |
Only five of the 21 players are in the top 200 OWGR rankings: Grayson Murray (134), Callum Tarren (153), Danny Willett (180) and Nate Lashley (186).
Ten players do not rank among the top 500: Richy Werenski (501), Ryan Brehm (547) William McGirt (553) Chris Stroud (638), Scott Harrington (564), Wesley Bryan 704, Tommy Gainey 729, Andrew Landry (740), Brandon Matthews 764, D.J. Trahan (1 285). Seven of 21 have never made the top 100.
MJ Daffue’s first season on the Tour was a disappointment. Brent Grant also had a disappointing year. Stroud trashed the Tour in the last week, before he floundered in the first round of the LIV Golf Promotions tournament.
Fans and golf media mocked the letter on social media. Within seven hours after it was made public, Bryan announced that he had removed his name from the players’ list.
Named
It was my mistake, and I really appreciate your help and guidance.
I just removed myself from the list by email, and that’s all.
My apologies
— Wesley Bryan (@wesleybryangolf) December 12, 2023
The PGA Tour as we know it will not exist in the future. It’s not the time to bite the hand that has fed them for so many years. Maybe it’s the right time for journeymen to plot a different course or venture out.
