US PGA champion Xander Schauffele has unloaded more criticism on PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan ahead of the Memorial Tournament.
Xander Schauffele criticized PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for his perceived lack of strong leadership in a recent interview with The Times prior to the Memorial Tournament.
In March, Schauffele, aged 30, expressed his doubts about Monahan’s suitability as the leader of the PGA Tour’s future. He believed that Monahan had a significant amount of work ahead of him to prove himself. This skepticism arose as the PGA Tour gained support from the Strategic Sports Group (SSG) and potentially the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in the near future.
However, in a recent interview with The Times, the newly-crowned US PGA champion has taken his criticism to another level.
It’s been said that the World No.2 believes Monahan hasn’t shown support for players on the PGA Tour amidst the various decisions made regarding the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League.
Schauffele told The Times:
“What I can say is that throughout all of this turmoil, what’s probably bothered me the most – now more than ever – is that we need someone to lead us, we need a leader.
“My job is to do what I did [at the US PGA] and play good golf and be an entertainer and show exciting golf can be.
“I’ve criticised Jay in the past, but the fact is not once has our commander-in-chief stood up for all of us players and said: ‘This is happening, this is where we’re going’, and protected us, basically.
“He didn’t take a stand when anyone left, he didn’t come out to the public and face the music, none of that.
“Obviously, there were reasons [Monahan took a medical leave of absence in the immediate aftermath of the announcement], but historically in tough situations you need a strong leader who can make the big waves smaller and make us feel better about what we’re doing. Right now, we don’t have that.
“Whether I trust him or not doesn’t matter. There are around 250 guys on tour. That’s a lot of people to satisfy. But what I know can help and know is right is that we need someone to stand up in front of everyone and lead the charge, whatever direction we’re going in, and wear the hard shots so the players don’t have to and take command of a fractured and sensitive situation.”
Schauffele opted for a break to recuperate from his first major victory at the US PGA held at Valhalla. However, he has returned to compete in the prestigious Memorial Tournament, a remarkable $20m event hosted by the legendary 18-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus.
The renowned Muirfield Village is witnessing the participation of all the prominent PGA Tour stars, such as the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and the third-ranked Rory McIlroy.
Afterwards, they will proceed to the third significant tournament of the year, the US Open, which will take place at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
Bob MacIntyre, who claimed his first PGA Tour victory last week, has opted to pull out of the Memorial Tournament in order to enjoy some quality time celebrating back in Scotland with his girlfriend, family, and friends.
Leave a Reply