PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has held a player meeting to face up to fresh questions over future plans amid the shock resignation of a high-ranking official.
Monahan held his first player meeting on Tuesday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship since taking a leave of absence in June for a health problem. The meeting gave pros like Rickie Fowler a chance to grill Monahan on the latest on plans to set-up a new partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which backs rival LIV Golf.
The scheduled discussion took place just after players were informed via email that Andy Pazder, the tour’s chief tournaments and competitions officer, had resigned.
The 90-minute gathering in the Oaks Room in the clubhouse at TPC Southwind saw around 25 of the 70 players competing in this week’s first FedEx Cup Playoffs event attend but Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, both player directors on the policy board, were reportedly not present.
Those who went like Fowler, the world No.26, got the chance to review the framework agreement the tour announced on June 6 for a new company (NewCo) to be formed from the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s PIF.
It was also an opportunity for Monahan to reassure his members after the shock announcement two months ago, which stunned pros. But Fowler conceded there are still plenty of concerns about the future – especially if the tour and PIF fail to finalise the framework, which has been questioned by legends like Tom Watson.
Fowler, who is a member of the player advisory council, told the Golf Channel: “I think everyone has a better understanding of how things are operating but there’s still a whole lot that we don’t know. It’s just continuing to trust that leadership and that everyone is doing what’s best for all of us and the tour moving forward.”
Long serving PGA Tour official Andy Pazder, right, has resigned
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fowler told the Golf Channel among the items discussed were: “If the deal doesn’t work what are the potentials of moving forward? Does NewCo still stay around? Are there other investors? Is the tour sustainable how we currently are?
“The tour is in a great spot…
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