Monahan warns players about potential rival golf tour
The PGA Tour has yet to make a public statement regarding the reported development of a rival golf tour, but commissioner Jay Monahan sent a clear message Monday to current members.
"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," Monahan wrote in an email, according to Golf Digest's Brian Wacker.
Team Golf Concept's potential existence, which is also being referred to as Premier Golf League, was first reported by Golf Channel contributor Geoff Shackelford. The team-based tour would reportedly attempt to lure the world's 48 best players with a condensed 18-tournament schedule spanning from January to September with $10 million up for grabs each week.
"The schedule for the Team Golf Concept is designed to directly compete and conflict with the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup schedule, and to not conflict with (and would be in addition to) the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and the Open Championship," Monahan continued.
The personnel behind the Team Golf Concept remains a mystery. However, in his email, Monahan said the tour is receiving funding from "Saudi interests" with offers of "potentially large financial guarantees to the 12 player-owners of teams."
Monahan added that under PGA Tour regulations, a member can't have a financial interest in another player, which is in direct conflict with Team Golf Concept's player-owned team format. He also noted that the PGA Tour would strictly enforce its policy on granting golfers a release to play in conflicting events on another circuit, which typically limits a player to three tournaments per year.
He also informed his members that Team Golf Concept's focus is to receive commitments from players first, as it does not have any sponsorships, media offerings, or rights.
Rory McIlroy was candid about the concept of a new tour during last week's Farmers Insurance Open. He said the Premier Golf League has "exploited a couple of holes" in the current system.
"It might be a catalyst for some changes on (the PGA Tour) that can help it grow and move forward and, you know, reward the top players the way they should be, I guess," McIlroy said.