PGA Tour players fume in heated 75-minute meeting after secret LIV merger

One aspect players were unhappy with was the revelation that LIV Golf defectors – many of whom signed multi-million pound contracts with the Saudi tour and were banished by the PGA as a result – would be allowed to return to the PGA Tour at some point in the near future. Monahan could not give details on exactly when this would be or how this delicate situation would be fairly handled.

One anonymous player told the Golf Channel: “Most of the players were very, very angry. The sentiment in the room was pretty somber, and Jay was definitely getting attacked. He handled it OK, but there were times where he could’ve been more accepting and put himself in our shoes more. He was like, ‘I’m doing this for the betterment of the Tour, guys, can’t you see this?’ And a lot of guys were like, ‘We don’t trust you!’”

Monahan was accused of hypocrisy, according to Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy, and afterwards the PGA chief accepted he would face criticism.

“I recognise everything I’ve said in the past in my past positions,” Monahan said. “I recognise that people are going to call me a hypocrite. Anytime I said anything I said it with the information I had in the moment.”

America’s Maverick McNealy led much of the inquisition while McIlroy, one of the most outspoken critics of LIV Golf, was reported to have been surprisingly quiet, bar a spiky exchange with fellow player Grayson Murray. But the world No 3 did lead a discussion among players after the meeting.

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Wagner added that he had “gained respect” for Monahan. “He was taking it from every single angle. Players were mad, players are calling for resignation, and Jay sat there and took it like a champ.”

Not every player appeared at the meeting. Tommy Fleetwood was among those who skipped the showdown talks to work on his game.

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