PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan hits back at Congress after investigation opened

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wasted no time in responding to the U.S. government after Congress launched an investigation into the agreement between the league and LIV Golf.

The Tour and LIV Golf agreed to a partnership last week, one of the most shocking news stories in the world of sports. Monahan recently suggested that it was the inaction of Congress that forced the PGA Tour’s hand.

“While we are grateful for the written declarations of support we received from certain [congressional] members, we were largely left on our own to fend off the attacks, ostensibly due to the United States’ complex geopolitical alliance with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Monahan wrote, per ESPN. “This left the very real prospect of another decade of expensive and distracting litigation and the PGA Tour’s long-term existence under threat.”

Moving forward, the PGA Tour will work closely with the PIF (Public Investment Fund), DP World Tour and LIV Golf. However, Monahan pointed out that this agreement isn’t a “merger,” as has been reported.

“After a divisive battle spanning two years including extensive ligation that divided our great sport, we have decided on an arrangement that will end the divisiveness and grow the sport of golf, while preserving the PGA Tour as the primary organizing entity for men’s professional tournament golf,” Monahan wrote. “Let me be clear that despite numerous reports, this arrangement is not a merger between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the PIF.”

Congress opens investigation into PGA Tour, LIV Golf

Earlier this week, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to Monahan and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, notifying both of the investigation. Because of the PGA Tour’s agreement with Saudi Arabia’s PIF, the government decided to step in.

“PGA Tour’s agreement with PIF regarding LIV Golf raises concerns about the Saudi government’s role in influencing this effort and the risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over a cherished American institution,” Blumenthal wrote. “PIF has announced that it intends to use investments in sports to further the Saudi government’s strategic objectives.”

In a message to PGA Tour employees, Monahan indicated the PGA Tour didn’t have the financial access to continue battling LIV Golf. The league also started placing an emphasis on increasing purses for its own tournaments — limiting its funds.

It’s certainly been interesting, and the agreement happened just one week ago. What kind of litigation will these tours face moving forward? How deep will Congress’ investigation go?

Because of the controversial nature of the deal, this probably won’t be the last time we hear of it.