PGA Tour pros rage with Jay Monahan after LIV Golf merger: "I feel ashamed!"

Several PGA Tour pros have blasted commissioner Jay Monahan after the bombshell announcement to merge with their Saudi-backed LIV Golf rival.

Ben Smith's picture
Tue, 6 Jun 2023
PGA Tour pros rage with Jay Monahan after LIV Golf merger: "I feel ashamed!"

Several PGA Tour players have blasted Jay Monahan after the shock decision to merge with LIV Golf. 

In one of the most surprising plot twists, it was confirmed on 6 June the PGA Tour had announced an agreement with LIV Golf after more than a year of disruption in the men's professional game. 

It was nearly a year ago that Monahan appeared on the broadcast during the Canadian Open to criticise those who had joined or were thinking of joining the Saudi-backed league. 

He said: "I would ask any player who has left or any player who considering leaving, have you ever had to apologise for being a member of the PGA Tour?" 

The news has hit the golf world like a bombshell. As you would expect, Phil Mickelson was one of the first to react

Several other top stars have reacted, including Collin Morikawa, who wrote: "I love waking up to morning news on Twitter." 

Others were more unflinching in their criticism. One of those who was furious was Wesley Bryan, who told the PGA Tour they should be 'ashamed', adding: 

"I feel betrayed, and will not not be able to trust anyone within the corporate structure of the PGA Tour for a very long time." 

Dylan Wu wrote:

"Tell me why Jay Monahan basically got a promotion to CEO of all golf in the world by going back on everything he said the past two years. The hypocrisy. Wish golf worked like that. I guess money always wins." 

Elsewhere, Barstool Sports has reported a number of players he reached out to are 'shocked and confused'. 

"Disgusted. They didn't tell us anything," he reported. 

A players meeting was scheduled before the Canadian Open this week. Rory McIlroy is headlining the event. 

Stay tuned to GolfMagic for all the updates on this incredible news. 

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