Golf became even more popular during the pandemic, and apparently the PGA Tour’s finances bounced back in 2021, following COVID-related disruptions.
The North American pro golf tour generated $1.59 billion in revenue in 2021, a 37% increase year-over-year, according to its 2021 tax filings. The growth comes despite increased competition in pro golf with the launch of the controversial LIV Golf League.
- PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was paid $13.9 million in 2021, down from the $14.2 million he made in 2020.
- The tax filing also revealed that Monahan flew on private jets for all of his personal and business travel in 2021.
- Previous tax filings by the PGA Tour had no mentions of costs associated with private jet travel.
The PGA Tour’s ability to rebound from the pandemic has coincided with larger tournament purses as it manages players defecting for LIV’s lucrative contracts.
During the 2021-22 PGA Tour season, a record 126 golfers pocketed at least $1 million. The tour’s top earner was 26-year-old Scottie Scheffler, who made $14 million in 25 starts, including his Masters win. Scheffler also earned $5.75 million in FedEx Cup Playoffs bonuses.
New Face
Earlier this month, the PGA Tour hired Jeff Miller, a Republican power broker who founded Miller Strategies and was a top fundraiser for Donald Trump.
The hire could help the PGA Tour with an antitrust investigation launched earlier this year by the Department of Justice regarding alleged anticompetitive behavior in response to LIV Golf, sources told Front Office Sports.
The PGA Tour could also be seeking Miller’s help for an antitrust exemption similar to that of Major League Baseball.
