Recently made public records show that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan had a rough few years after LIV Golf joined the sport, but he was paid well in 2022.
In 2022, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan made a huge £14.6 million, which was more than what both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy got from the tour’s Player Impact Program.
The commissioner’s pay went up by £3.9 million from 2021 to now. He is currently in hot talks with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund about a groundbreaking merger with LIV Golf. A lot of PGA players were angry at Monahan because he announced the framework deal with the PIF before talking to Tour members.
READ MORE: Tiger Woods could play a big part in the future of LIV golf stars after the final meeting to merge
The deal hasn’t been signed yet, and both sides have until December 31 to work out the details and join, which would end golf’s civil war. Jon Rahm, the current Masters winner, left the PGA Tour for LIV earlier this month in a deal worth a reported £450 million. This made the conflict in the sport even worse.
Even the toughest critics of the LIV called for a deal between the two groups after the Rahm deal. In response, the PGA Tour said it would speed up talks with the PIF while still talking about investment from a group of US-based investors, including Fenway Sports Group.
The PGA Tour spent a huge £15.6m on legal fees in 2022, which is more than £14 more than they did in 2021. This shows how big the legal battle between LIV and the PGA Tour was before the framework deal was announced. According to IRS records, Monahan’s pay also went up a lot during that time, from £10.8m in 2021 to £14.6m in 2022.
READ MORE: Phil Mickelson confirms that LIV Golf has signed a new player to complete the HyFlyers GC line-up.
READ MORE: Tony Finau puts an end to reports about LIV Golf and announces plans for the PGA Tour in 2024
Sports magazine Sportico says that his pay includes a base salary of £1.4m, bonuses worth £7.2m, and non-cash benefits worth £5.7m that he will only get when he quits.
The amount Monahan was paid was more than what Woods and McIlroy were paid through the Player Impact Program in 2022. The PIP is a fund that was added during the 2020 season. It rewards players who have the most effect on the tour through sponsorships and ticket sales, not through how well they play on the course.
The fund grew from £31 million in 2021 to £78.3 million in 2022 and 2023. It is split among the ten players who bring in the most money for the tour. In 2022, Woods won the tournament and got £11.7 million, while McIlroy got £9.3 million.
