Rory McIlroy defends Jay Monahan following backlash from PGA Tour stars

Rory McIlroy still believes Jay Monahan is the man to lead the PGA Tour despite the commissioner coming under fire from the playing membership following last year’s shock announcement of a framework agreement with LIV Golf's backers Public Investment Fund (PIF).

The announcement of the agreement between PIF, the PGA and DP World Tour, something Monahan had previously ruled out, sent shockwaves through the golfing world, with players having no say on the matter and many of them only finding out the news on social media.

Talks are still ongoing to finalise the framework agreement after the December 31, 2023, deadline was extended.

The American revealed “negotiations are accelerating” earlier this week, but is he still the right man to lead the PGA Tour after blindsiding the playing membership last June?

“Is he the right person? I don’t know. Probably not on paper,” Matt Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports.

“But it’s not like we’ve got a choice.”

Billy Horschel added: “Unfortunately I don’t think he has the full support of the entire membership but I’m hopeful the majority of the PGA Tour membership support him.”

While Monahan is still fighting for the trust of many of his players, he does have the support of one of the most prominent names in the game – Rory McIlroy.

Surprising perhaps as the Northern Irishman was arguably let down by Monahan and the PGA Tour bigwigs more than anybody else.

He was an outspoken critic of LIV Golf and the PGA Tour’s mouthpiece in the fight against the breakaway circuit, once saying he would rather retire than play in it “if it was the last place to play golf on earth”.

Last year’s U-turn from Monahan in agreeing a deal with PIF likely hit McIlroy harder than most, but he still believes Monahan is the right man to lead the negotiations and heal the divisions in the game.

"You look at what Jay has done since he took over," said McIlroy, who has softened his stance on LIV Golf in recent months.

"The media rights deal, navigating us through Covid, the strategic alliance with the DP World Tour; I would say creating PGA Tour Enterprises, we were just able to accept $1.5bn [from investors Strategic Sports Group] in the business.

"People can nit-pick and say he didn't do this right or didn't do that right, but if you actually step back and look at the bigger picture, I think the PGA Tour is in a far stronger position than when Jay took over.

"I think some of the reaction to June 6 was warranted, but I think at this point it's eight months ago, and we all need to move on. We all need to sort of move forward and try to bring the game back together."

Talks remain ongoing between PIF, the DP World and PGA Tour to hash out deal.