Jay Monahan Fails to Deliver Any News on Golf Peace Deal

When PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan addressed the world’s media on the eve of the Tour Championship he might reasonably have been expected to give us an update on the progress of talks between the tour and PIF, who own LIV Golf.

Don’t be silly!

This was all we got: "We are at the table and actively engaged with the PIF, and remain hopeful."

We have been hearing the same thing for fully 15 months. I would remind Mr Monahan that he initially told us he expected a deal to be in place in December. That was December LAST YEAR!

In truth, it looks like the parties are as far apart as they have ever been.

Monahan was more intent on singing his own praises or, at least, what he described as the "engagement, momentum and innovation" he insists we will all be seeing in the months ahead.

He extolled the virtues of the Signature Events, a series of tournaments that have guaranteed even more prize money for the sport’s elite golfers. In truth, in 2024 they turned out to be a personal benefit for Scottie Scheffler, who won four of them.

There were fears that the Signature Events would be utterly dominated by the top 50 and while that was largely the case, 65 golfers outside the top 50 competed in at least one Signature Event, including every player ranked 51-70. Five of the seven winners from the FedExCup Fall advanced to the FedExCup Playoffs, with three of them competing in the Tour Championship.

Monahan claimed that the tour had seen increased on-site attendance and solid growth across content channels and it is good news that the 2025 season is already fully sponsored.

"We are grateful for the feedback from our fans, the engagement of our players, the partnership of our sponsors, and the opportunity created by our SSG investors," Monahan said. "…Change creates opportunity, and we are surging ahead."

It was disappointing that Monahan read from a prepared statement, but it has to be said that, from a financial point of view at least, the future looks pretty bright.

With massive capital investment from Strategic Sports Group (SSG), the PGA Tour is now awash with cash. 

Monahan said: "We are engaging with all of our stakeholders in new and meaningful ways. These expanded, deeper points of engagement are creating a better, more relevant PGA Tour." 

And he insisted that the tour will continue to involve and engage with fans and vowed to improve coverage.

Next season will see the launch of something called The World Feed which Monahan says will innovate its television coverage. He announced that the tour and the Golf Channel will be testing some new approaches during select FedExCup Fall events. 

"We are elevating the experience for fans around the world," Monahan said.

Bu most of those fans still want to know what on earth is happening with the peace deal. The players deserve to know and those who love and support the sport deserve the same.