‘Kept in the dark’: PGA Tour players send lawyer’s letter to Policy Board
A letter has been sent to the PGA Tour Policy Board on behalf of 21 players who want to know full details of the circuit’s talks with private equity candidates…
A group of PGA Tour players say they want answers after claiming they have been “kept entirely in the dark” about the organisation’s talks with potential investors.
Lawyers representing 21 players have written to the PGA Tour Policy Board requesting information on the tour’s dealings with prospective capital partners.
“All but a handful of PGA Tour players have been kept entirely in the dark about the prospective transaction, how it will impact them, and what conflicts of interest may impact the decision-makers,” Jacob W. Buchdahl of Susman Godfrey L.L.P wrote.
The players named in the letter are: Ryan Brehm, Wesley Bryan, MJ Daffue, Dylan Frittelli, Tommy Gainey, Brent Grant, Lanto Griffin, James Hahn, Scott Harrington, Andrew Landry, Nate Lashley, Brandon Matthews, William McGirt, Grayson Murray, Scott Piercy, Chez Reavie, Chris Stroud, Callum Tarren, D.J Trahan, Richy Werenski and Danny Willett.
Wesley Bryan has since posted to Twitter/X revealing he had removed himself from the list.
The letter, shared by Tron Carter of No Laying Up on Twitter/X, demands full disclosure of details and analyses from talks with the prospective capital partners to be shared with all tour players.
Ladies and Gentlemennnnnnnn…presenting the 2023 Mule Hall of Fame Class. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/LIBjHycpxt
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) December 12, 2023
Buchdahl wrote they also demand a meeting with independent directors from the board “to understand the process that has been followed and will be followed going forward.”
“The PGA Tour players who have been kept in the dark about this process are the lifeblood of the tour. They deserve to know what is happening.”
The letter was sent on December 10, the same day the PGA Tour announced its decision to advance negotiations with Strategic Sports Group which is a consortium of US-based sports team investors.
The tour also revealed they are still working towards a deal with the Public Investment Fund ahead of the December 31 deadline, remaining “very confident in an eventual, positive outcome for all players and the PGA Tour as a whole.”
On December 2, a group of anonymous tour members signed a petition for a special meeting with the Board to address issues such as FedEx Cup points at Signature Events full field events and the Player Impact Program.
A memo from the Board has since responded to say a review of the points distributing will take place in June.
NOW READ: ‘I’m not leaving’: Tony Finau shuts down LIV Golf rumours
NOW READ: Who plays where? Keeping up with LIV Golf’s team reshuffle
What would you change about the PGA Tour Policy Board 2023? Tell us on Twitter/X!
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.
