With Saudi-backed LIV Golf as a minority investor, the PGA Tour is hiring a CEO for the first time who will work alongside commissioner Jay Monahan. Monahan made the announcement to his staff Tuesday morning as part of a year-end message that looked ahead to 2025. The PGA Tour is wrapping up a year of sweeping changes while still unable to reach an agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, though recent signs indicate they are closer than ever.
Still unknown is to what degree this can unite a sport where its biggest names are competing in opposite leagues. A consortium of American sports business owners led by Fenway Sports Group, invested $1.5 billion in a deal announced in late January, with the possibility of that investment reaching $3 billion. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, part of SSG and a member of the new commercial PGA Tour Enterprises, will be leading a search committee that includes Monahan. The PGA Tour Enterprises board includes all six players on the policy board, led by Tiger Woods, four members of SSG, Monahan and Valero CEO Joe Gorder. The 13th member is former PGA Tour player Joe Ogilvie in a liaison role. Professional golf now has four top executive openings. The LPGA is searching for a new commissioner to replace Mollie Marcoux Samaan; the PGA of America has narrowed its search for a CEO to replace Seth Waugh; and LIV Golf is expected to name Scott O'Neil as its new CEO with Greg Norman taking on a different role. The PGA Tour already has tightened its player eligibility by eliminating 25 cards through the FedEx Cup, meaning only the top 100 will be guaranteed full status at the end of the year. Field sizes also are being reduced. The tour also will be launching its massive PGA Tour Studios next to its headquarters, filled with the latest technology that will allow the tour to produce its own content and “delivering our fans around the world more of what you want to see,” Monahan said