PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is taking a leave of absence as he recovers from “a medical situation.”
The news comes a week after the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf announced that they are merging their operations into a single commercial entity.
The Tour leader came under intense scrutiny as anger and frustration immediately swept through the ranks in different forms. Players like Wesley Bryan were partly upset to only learn of the news on Twitter — Monahan reportedly conducted a seven-week negotiation aided by just two Tour board members.
Monahan’s announcement comes at the start of the U.S. Open this week in Los Angeles. The commissioner and PGA Tour Policy Board released a joint statement on the hiatus.
“Jay Monahan informed the PGA Tour Policy Board that he is recuperating from a medical situation. The Board fully supports Jay and appreciates everyone respecting his privacy.”
It appears that PGA Tour and LIV members alike are done trying to predict what the future of the professional game holds. Rory McIlroy canceled his media availability on Tuesday, while several other major champions made it clear they want answers as much as fans do.
“A lot of people feel a bit of betrayal from management,” 2023 Masters and 2021 U.S. Open winner Jon Rahm said.
Brooks Koepka, who won his fifth major at last month’s PGA Championship, wouldn’t speculate on the impending changes. “I’m not going to go into the future,” he said when Front Office Sports asked if he would want to bring LIV’s team golf concept to the PGA Tour. “I don’t have a crystal ball with me.”
