Ex-coach of Tiger Woods strikes out harshly at PGA Tour boss as uncertainty surrounds Saudi deal
Jay Monahan is at the center of negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and is under increasing pressure. Tiger Woods’ former coach Hank Haney has criticized PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monaghan for his handling of ongoing negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) on the course.
The PGA Tour has been discussing a peace deal with its Saudi rivals since Monaghan made his shocking announcement last June, but no agreement has currently been reached. The original deadline for completing the transaction was December 31, but the target was not achieved.
After the deadline, the tour assured players that negotiations with the PIF were ongoing and that the proposed deal was expected to end the feud with LIV Golf. But doubts about the agreement have emerged in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, a Golf Digest report claimed Monaghan was hoping to “shut down” the LIV system and that recent talks between the two sides have “cooled.” As the latest news broke, Woods’ former coach Haney expressed disappointment over his role in the ongoing negotiations with Monaghan. “Whatever [Monahan] wants, they should probably consider the opposite,” he tweeted. With the PGA Tour and PIF appearing to delay a deal, Team USA decided to look for partnerships elsewhere.
Late last month, the tour announced it was joining forces with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), which pledged to invest as much as $3 billion in PGA Tour Enterprises. It remains to be seen whether this will have any impact on the proposed partnership with the Saudi foundation.
However, following the announcement, PIF Governor Yasser Al-Rumayyan welcomed the investment and sent a message of encouragement to LIV members. After the golf week ended, Al-Rumayyan wrote a letter.
“Yesterday’s announcement of the creation of PGA Tour Enterprises is consistent with PIF’s long-standing commitment to growing the game. “PIF continues to discuss and evaluate future investments that will benefit the wider game of golf. PIF remains committed to investing in and supporting LIV and the team golf format that has brought new life to the game and countless new fans around the world.
“The game of golf is just starting to realize its potential. This is the vision we had when we created LIV, and today it is more vibrant than ever. LIV has transformed the sport and we will continue to grow and expand the game globally.” Grow your fan base, strengthen your platform and maintain incredible momentum.”
