Luis Edu
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan startled everyone with a string of statements expressing his displeasure with the LIV Golf Invitational Series’ creation.
“It’s a series of exhibition matches” stated the executive, revealing his views on the organization of the new tour sponsored by Saudi Arabia, during an interview for the CBS TV broadcast.
In relation to the disciplinary action taken against golfers who are part of LIV Golf, Monahan said: “It is my job to protect, defend and celebrate our loyal members of the PGA Tour, our partners and our fans, and that is exactly what I did.”
In another strong message about the departure from the PGA Tour of great figures of this sport such as Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcíathe 52-year-old executive added: “Those players have chosen to sign lucrative multi-year contracts to play in a series of exhibition events against the same players over and over again.”
These words are part of a fresh chapter in the gripping saga that the world of golf is undergoing with the launch of the new circuit, which began last week with a tournament in England won by the South African Charl Schwartzel, who received an impressive $4 million prize.
For his part, the LIV Golf commissioner, Greg Norman, has not yet commented on what Monahan said, but he will surely be the target of questions about the delicate subject when the time comes to dispute the second tournament of the tour on June 30, at the Pumpkin Ridge course in Portland.
Former PGA Tour figures who are part of the LIV Golf Invitational Series
Several golf professionals made the bold choice to leave the PGA Tour and devote their time to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, backed by multimillion-dollar deals.
Former world #1 Dustin Johnson leads the list of players who made it to the new tour. In his case, the move was accomplished by a $125 million settlement.
Other golfers who joined LIV Golf are Sergio García, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Brison DeChambeau, among others.
