PGA Tour boss told he's 'worst commissioner ever' after shocking report leaks

PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan has come under fresh scrutiny after Sportico obtained a copy of his tax return. 

Said document revealed the commissioner earned more than $23m in 2023 alone. 

That includes a remarkable $12.1m bonus, $2.5m in post-retirement benefits and $6.7m in 'long-term incentive compensation'. 

His base salary for the year was $1,887,096. 

Sportico also revealed Ron Price, the Tour's chief operating officer who was grilled earlier in the summer by U.S. lawmakers about the 'framework agreement' with LIV's backers, earned $13m. 

That included a whopping bonus of $7.8m.

Of course, 2023 was a tumultuous year off the course for the PGA Tour.

Faced with the threat of LIV Golf taking more of their top stars, Monahan announced plans to align commercial interests with the Saudi-backed league. 

Monahan orchestrated that deal behind the players' backs after meeting with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in a series of secret meetings across the globe. 

Rory McIlroy claimed he felt like a 'sacrificial lamb' having gone to bat for the Tour over the prior 24 months. 

And Monahan had also implored high-profile golfers who were thinking of bolting to consider the implications of joining an organisation backed by Saudi oil money. 

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

Following the announcement on 6 June 2023, Monahan was forced to take a temporary leave of absence for a medical condition. 

Monahan returned to his post four weeks later and apologised for what transpired. 

He has since been named as the chief executive officer of PGA Tour Enterprises. 

PGA Tour Enterprises received a cash injection from Strategic Sports Group at the turn of the year and to this day the North American circuit are still trying to complete a deal with LIV's financiers to reunite the game. 

A report earlier in the week suggested the deal could be scrapped entirely, with the DP World Tour going into business with the PIF. 

Read more about that here. 

As for Monahan, it goes without saying that a number of golf fans are angry about his compensation. 

Here's a selection of comments:

"Worst commissioner in pro sports. It's ridiculous he still has a job. Let a rival league take half his top players and he's losing sponsors left and right."

"This guy sucks."

"Total waste of money. Worst commissioner in golf history."

"This guy needs to go. We need to turn the page on him. Need fresh new leadership."