Ernie Els absolutely loses it with PGA Tour chief: "You do s--- like this!?"

Ernie Els has slammed PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan for 'going rogue' over the circuit's deal with LIV Golf's Saudi backers.

Ben Smith

20 Jul 2023

Ernie Els absolutely loses it with PGA Tour chief: "You do s--- like this!?" — Ernie Els absolutely loses it with PGA Tour chief: "You do s--- like this!…

Ernie Els has torn into Jay Monahan, accusing the PGA Tour commissioner of 'going rogue' by cutting a deal with LIV Golf's backers.

In an extraordinary interview with SI's Bob Harig, The Big Easy labelled what has transpired in men's professional golf as 'a shambles'.

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The South African, now 53, told the publication there would have been no way players would have allowed something like this to happen in his prime.

Els is referring to the fact the PGA Tour announced a 'framework agreement' with Saudi Arabia's PIF on 6 June to the surprise of everyone.

It brought to an end, at least temporarily, the expensive litigation between both organisations.

Monahan was labelled a hypocrite for previously imploring PGA Tour members to think twice before bolting to LIV Golf.

He famously asked: "When was the last time you had to apologise for being a member of the PGA Tour?"

It was alleged he also stabbed Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods in the back after the duo carried so much water for the PGA Tour over the last 13 months.

Els told SI:

"If this happened in my day, in my prime, there's no way he's around. No way. And the board has to change. You do s--- like this. I'm sorry, it's not right. Talk to us, tell us what you're going to do, plan on negotiating.

"Don't just go rogue as a member of the board and come back with a deal and think we're 'all going to say yes? You're affecting people's lives. You're affecting the professional game. It's just so bad."

Ernie Els absolutely loses it with PGA Tour chief:

Els is playing the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. There are reports that LIV Golf and Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is in attendance at Hoylake.

Even during his annual pre-tournament news conference Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of the R&A, wouldn't rule out the major accepting investment from the Saudis.

Els added:

"I know Yasir, I know some of those Saudi guys. They love the game. But this is circus golf. That's not where I stand.

"Team golf doesn't work. It works maybe in a two-month, three-month happy season. Get these guys together, get teams together and play around the world. But [then] play real golf.

"That's what this thing is all about. That's what I prided myself on. Like Tiger and some of these guys. Playing that type of golf. Getting yourself into majors. And grinding.

"And for these guys [Monahan et al] to go out there and do what they did, just off the cuff, as a board member, do a deal, nobody knows. The commissioner is supposed to be the guy running our tour.

"These board members make a deal or a so-called deal and with no input from the players. It's absolute shambles. I'm worried."

Monahan stepped away from his role temporarily in the day's after the 'framework agreement' was announced owing to an unexplained health condition.

In the interim Jimmy Dunne, who helped broker the peace deal in secret by reaching out to Al Rumayyan over WhatsApp, and Ron Price deputised in his absence.

Monahan also wasn't present as Dunne and Price faced a grilling from US lawmakers over the PGA Tour's agreement with the Saudis.

Els wants Monahan's replacement to know they will be answering to Al-Rumayyan.

"Whoever is the commissioner, whoever is left, they are going to be answering to him," Els said. "I don't know how the hell they can't see that."

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