HOYLAKE, England — Turbulent times have engulfed golf of late.
At the center of the storm has been embattled PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who’s been eviscerated for his handling of the LIV Golf merger and scorned by his own players for seemingly turning his back on them with the secretive “framework agreement’’ he acquiesced to with LIV without informing them of the alliance.
Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi public investment fund (PIF) that runs LIV, made the stunning joint announcement on June 6.
A week later, it was announced by the PGA Tour that Monahan had an undisclosed health issue that forced him to step away from his commissioner’s duties.
Last week, the tour announced Monahan was returning to his duties on Monday, though he’s not at the British Open at Royal Liverpool.
Last week at the Genesis Scottish Open, high-profile players Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele hinted that Monahan would need to regain the trust of the players.
Amidst all of the angst is Jon Rahm, the third-ranked player in the world, who on Tuesday sounded like a level-headed voice of reason, preaching for patience as the yet-to-be-determined results from the “framework agreement’’ unfold.
Jon Rahm prepares for The British Open on July 18, 2023. AFP via Getty ImagesRahm threw Monahan a lifeline, insisting his opinion of Monahan hasn’t changed since the controversial behind-the-scenes agreement was made.
“Jay has behaved so professionally and so well with me and my family,’’ Rahm said. “In that sense, he’s a really good man. Now, as it comes to what he’s been doing for us and the PGA Tour, I think he’s done a fantastic job. I would say it was unexpected what happened. The turn they took without us knowing was very unexpected, but I still think he’s been doing a great job. And right now, after that happened, I only think it’s fair to give them the right time to work things out.
“I still think they have the best interest of the players at heart. All we have right now, it’s a framework agreement. It’s an agreement to have an agreement. We really don’t have anything right now to be able to say or judge what they’ve done.’’
Asked if he’s lost “trust’’ in Monahan, Rahm said, “My trust? No. Again, he still has all this time to work this agreement to basically prove that this was the right decision.’’
Everything to know about the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger
PGA Tour and LIV Golf are ending a war — by joining forces.
The two golf leagues, along with the European DP World Tour, are merging into one company after a period of fierce rivalry, one where LIV Golf defectors were banned from competing on the Tour.
LIV, financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and led by legendary golfer Greg Norman, lured some of the top names in golf last year with reported nine-figure contracts, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
Other huge golf names, however, like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, stayed loyal to the Tour, despite being offered a massive amount of money.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger
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Norman said last year Woods turned down a payday in the range of $700 million-$800 million to stick with the PGA Tour.
With the merger, the Saudi-backed LIV and the Tour are ending an antitrust battle and agreed to end all litigation between the two sides.
“After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “This transformational partnership recognizes the immeasurable strength of the PGA TOUR’s history, legacy and pro-competitive model.”
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Rahm, who’s believed to have been offered between $300 million and $500 million to join LIV, delivered his most fascinating answer when he was asked if he believes the top players who turned down the LIV millions to remain with the PGA Tour should be compensated once this alliance is worked out.
This has been the rumor since the agreement was made, with Monahan indicating he was going to make it his business to reward those players who stayed.
Rahm’s answer was both classy and eye-opening.
“It’s a tricky question,’’ he said. “I understand the PGA Tour wanting to do something for those players who helped and stayed on the PGA Tour. But at the same time, I wasn’t forced into anything. It was my choice to stay. Do I think they absolutely should be and there must be a compensation? No. I just stayed because I think it’s the best choice for myself and for the golf I want to play.
Jay Monahan has faced severe criticism since the framework of the PGA-LIV merger was announced. AP“Now, with that said,’’ Rahm continued with a smile, “if they want to do it, I’m not going to say no.’’
The PGA Tour needs more level-headed leaders with the kind of candor Rahm delivers.
“We all had the chance to go to LIV and take the money and we chose to stay at the PGA Tour for whatever reason we chose,’’ Rahm said. “I already make an amazing living doing what I do. I’m extremely thankful, and that all happened because of the platform the PGA Tour provided me. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve done enough for me, and their focus should be on improving the PGA Tour and the game of golf for the future generations.’’
Asked if that includes trying to improve the game by allowing the LIV players back onto the PGA Tour, which suspended all of those who went to LIV, Rahm said, “That’s one of the things that the agreement needs to sort out. It’s tricky. I can understand people on the PGA Tour not wanting those players back, and I can also understand why some of them want to come back.
“I do believe that some punishment should be in order, but I don’t know what. I’m not a politician. That’s not my job. That’s for the disciplinary board and other people that are paid to do that. My job is to hit the golf ball and try to do the best I can.’’
Having won four times already this year, including the Masters, Rahm has done a pretty damn good job at that. Listening to him Tuesday, he’d make a pretty good commissioner, too.






