Ernie Els is a veteran of the game, with the South African claiming 75 professional wins worldwide, as well as climbing to the World No.1 spot for nine weeks.
He has seen it all in the game and, with the recent news of a merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund, the 53-year-old is worried about the future of professional golf, specifically the position of PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, with Els telling Sports Illustrated that: “If this happened in my day, in my prime, there’s no way he’s around.”
Tiger Woods, Monahan and Els during a 2019 Presidents Cup press conference
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Speaking at The 151st Open Championship, an event he has won twice, Els added: “No way. And the board has to change. You do s**t like this. I’m sorry, it’s not right. Talk to us, tell us what you’re going to do, plan on negotiating.
“Don’t just go rogue as a member of the board and come back with a deal and think we’re all going to say yes. You’re affecting people’s lives. You’re affecting the professional game. It’s just so bad.”
Earlier this month, Randall Stephenson, who was part of the ten-man board which is set to vote on the framework deal between the Tours and Saudi Arabia, resigned from his position due to “serious concerns” over the proposed deal, with Rory McIlroy claiming he would “retire” from the game if LIV Golf was the only Tour left to play on.
Els seems to share these sentiments, with the South African stating to Sports Illustrated: “I know Yasir, I know some of those Saudi guys, they love the game. But this (LIV) is circus golf. That’s not where I stand. Team golf doesn’t work. It works maybe in a two-month, three-month happy season. Get these guys together, get teams together and play around the world. But (then) play real golf.
“That’s what this thing is all about. That’s what I prided myself on. Like Tiger (Woods) and some of these guys. Playing that type of golf. Getting yourself into Majors and grinding.”
Els during The 151st Open Championship
(Image credit: Getty Images)
His tirade about the PGA Tour leadership didn’t stop there, with Els adding: “And for these guys…
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