‘Players are done with him’: Hunter Mahan passes brutal judgement of Jay Monahan
By Matt Chivers
Some players feel betrayed by Jay Monahan’s actions in dealing with the Public Investment Fund, and PGA Tour veteran Hunter Mahan believes his relationship with the membership could be beyond repair
At the top of Jay Monahan’s unenviable to-do list when he returns to work on July 17 will be restoring support and confidence from the players he serves.
An intense player meeting followed the announcement of the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund’s stunning deal on June 6 in Canada, and it appears they still need convincing that the tour is on the right path.
However, six-time PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan appears adamant there is no way of Monahan restoring trust from the membership which was kept completely unaware of the negotiations and talks going on behind the scenes.
“Players are done with him,” Mahan tweeted on Wednesday,” Except I’m not (sic) what the process is for removing him. Great time for players to find real representation.”
The 41-year-old hasn’t played on the PGA Tour since the 3M Open in 2021 and notched his most recent victory at the Barclays in 2014.
Players are done with him, except I’m not what the process is for removing him. Great time for players to find real representation.
— Hunter Mahan (@HunterMahan) July 12, 2023
Players in the meeting at last month’s RBC Canadian Open felt betrayed by Monahan, while an anonymous player revealed he was “definitely getting attacked.”
After the agreement was announced, Rory McIlroy said he felt like “a sacrificial lamb” as the circuit’s most vocal supporter and described Monahan’s actions as “hypocritical.”
The PGA Tour suspended players from joining LIV Golf and many players resigned their memberships. Monahan often ruled out the possibility of LIV Golf players being able to return to the tour, but now players could reapply for their memberships in the near future as part of the new alliance.
PGA Tour COO Ron Price and board member Jimmy Dunne appeared before US Congress on Tuesday to discuss the proposal formed by the PGA Tour and the PIF. The US Senate’s subcommittee released a 276-page document detailing a number of stunning features.
Among them was a proposal that McIlroy and Tiger Woods would own LIV Golf teams and play in 10 LIV Golf events, while Greg Norman would not be retained as LIV CEO and moved to an advisory role.
NOW READ: 10 huge revelations from the PGA Tour-LIV Golf US Senate hearing
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
