Monahan (r) strongly indicated players would have to choose between the PGA Tour or the new leagueGETTY IMAGES
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan "outlined the circuit's thoughts" on the noise around a proposed new global golf league, making it "clear that the league's proposed 18-event schedule would be a direct conflict with the PGA Tour," according to Rex Hoggard of GOLFCHANNEL.com. In a letter sent to players, Monahan said that the Tour has "not been in contact with officials from the Team Golf Concept, which has been publicly identified as the Premier Golf League." Players are "limited to three conflicting event 'releases' under the Tour's current regulations and the letter references 'strict enforcement of the Conflicting Event and Media Rights/Release rules.'" The letter also "warns players that under Tour regulations 'a member cannot have a financial interest in another player,' which is one of the fundamental features of the Premier Golf League's team ownership concept." Monahan wrote, "If the Team Golf Concept or another iteration of this structure becomes a reality in 2022 or at any time before or after, our members will have to decide whether they want to continue to be a member of the PGA Tour or play on a new series" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/28).
MUST STATUS QUO CHANGE? GOLF DIGEST's Brian Wacker cited a source as saying that Monahan had a conversation last week with Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler about the potential new league, during which Monahan "expressed his concerns about the sustainability of the status quo for the PGA Tour in the long term" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 1/28). GOLFWEEK's Eamon Lynch wrote every "promise of what the hypothetical tour will deliver ... carries a none-too-subtle subtext that players and fans are ill-served in these areas by existing tours and their broadcast partners." The fact that Premier Golf League "hasn't gained traction is precisely why the PGA Tour should seriously consider the motivations behind it, because the next group to propose a splinter circuit may be better organized and find a more receptive audience in the world's top golfers" (GOLFWEEK.com, 1/26).
DRAWING THE LINE: GOLF.com's Bamberger & Priest wrote Monahan is "facing the biggest challenge of his three years as commissioner." He made it clear that "nobody will be a member of both the PGA Tour and the Premier Golf League." That was the "smartest thing the commissioner could possibly say, because if the PGL really happened, the PGA Tour would quickly become golf's version of AAA baseball." It would be a "feeder league." On that basis, the new concept "seems unlikely." But "on the other hand, money talks in every country and in every language" (GOLF.com, 1/28).
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? The AP's Doug Ferguson wrote there are a "few missing details" in regards to the new golf league. Ferguson: "Is there a broadcast partner? Corporate sponsors? Any commitments from players?" The "biggest question of all: Does it have Tiger Woods?" Because "without Woods, it doesn't stand a chance." Among "many challenges facing Premier Golf League is the robust health of the PGA Tour -- increasing prize money, stable sponsorship, a new broadcast deal." That might "make it tough for any player to risk membership, and to risk the appearance of turning its back on the tour that helped make them famous" (AP, 1/28). MORNING READ's Alex Miceli wrote it is "hard to believe that a professional tour for golf's elite players could make it without Woods" (MORNINGREAD.com, 1/28). The BBC's Iain Carter wrote it is "difficult to envisage" a new golf circuit "succeeding against the might of the PGA and European Tours." There was a "striking similarity in dismissive messages coming from both the PGA and European Tours when details of the proposed PGL emerged" (BBC.com, 1/27).
NEED MORE INFO: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Randall Mell wrote the proposed circuit is "troublingly mysterious," as there is "no face to this league." Until "somebody steps out from behind the curtain and identifies himself as the face of the Premier Golf League, there's no credibility in what is being proposed." It can "present the most compelling, well-conceived plan in the world, but the credibility in all of it lies in who is floating the idea" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/27). In London, Rick Broadbent wrote the golf calendar "needs a shake-up and some of these ideas are worth considering." Three rounds instead of four "would make for distilled drama." A team event "might attract new fans" and a four-month break "can't be bad." But the "thing that really appeals is having a meaningful season-long narrative outside the majors" (LONDON TIMES, 1/28).
