More change is coming to the PGA Tour.
On Tuesday morning, in a video posted by the PGA Tour to its social networks, Commissioner Jay Monahan announced that the tour is looking for a new Chief Executive to join its C-suite.
“We’re bringing new perspectives onto our team to realize the incredible opportunities ahead for our sport,” Monahan said.
“We can learn so much from the world of sport and entertainment, and I’m excited to meet candidates for this important new role.
Monahan will remain the Commissioner and stay on the newly established, for-profit entity PGA Tour Enterprises board. The announcement comes at a crucial time for the PGA Tour, as it continues to orchestrate a deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf’s beneficiary. A Bloomberg report on Dec. 10 indicated that the sides are “close” to a deal, which would see the PIF acquire a six-percent stake in PGA Tour Enterprises.
“This [announcement] is a signal that we’re on the right track,” said Andy Weitz, the Tour’s chief marketing and communications officer, live on Golf Channel on Tuesday.
“This is another example of making sure we have the right people in the right roles. To come together and really create some exciting experiences for fans in 2025 and beyond.”
Weitz added that the tour hopes to share more news regarding its discussions with the PIF in the “new year.”
That’s not the only shakeup happening among PGA Tour brass, however. Monahan’s announcement comes on the same day in which Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal reported that Ron Price, the Chief Operating Officer who testified before Congress in July 2023, will retire.
Interestingly, LIV Golf also had a recent change to its leadership. The PIF hired Scott O’Neill, who previously served as the Chief Executive Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers. O’Neill replaced the controversial Greg Norman.
On top of that, the LPGA is also experiencing a change at the top. Mollie Marcoux Samaan unexpectedly stepped down at the beginning of December. Liz Moore, who has led the legal and technology teams at the LPGA for over a decade, is currently serving as interim commissioner.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
