Jay Monahan is set to return as PGA Tour Commissioner in the near future. Multiple sources confirmed Golfweek Monahan’s announcement to the Tour Policy Board on Friday afternoon. In a memo sent to the board, Monahan stated that he would return to work on Saturday.
Since the Tour announced, on June 14, that Monahan was taking leave for an unspecified health issue, speculation has been intense. Since then, no further information has been provided on Monahan’s health. The Tour’s daily operations were under the control and supervision of Ron Price, Chief Operating Officer for the Tour, and Tyler Dennis, PGA Tour President.
Monahan sent a note to the board stating the following:
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you at this time. We have all endured a difficult time over the last two years. In the days that followed the announcement of the framework agreement, I personally felt the toll on my health. “With the help of my family, and world-class medical care, I have seen a dramatic improvement in my health.”
Monahan’s medical leave comes one week after the announcement of a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (the sovereign wealth fund that funds the rival LIV Golf League) and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Monahan revealed the shocking deal during an appearance on CNBC with Yasir al-Rumayyan the governor of PIF.
Monahan’s reversal of position and that of the Tour prompted some players to demand his resignation in a heated meeting later on that day. Monahan did not attend the Policy Board meeting held in Detroit last week.
The framework agreement is lacking in detail, but it has resulted in the withdrawal of lawsuits by both parties. Monahan will be the CEO and Al-Rumayyan chairman of the new company.
Monahan was invited to appear before the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on the 11th of July. The Subcommittee has raised concerns about the terms and conditions of the agreement with a foreign fund. The invitation was refused due to health reasons. Price will represent the PGA Tour, along with Jimmy Dunne. Dunne is a Wall Street investor who was a member of the Tour Board and helped to architect the deal between the Saudis and the PGA Tour.
