How do the fans think that Jay Monahan is doing as commissioner of the PGA Tour? If the fans at the Tour Championship are any indicator, Monahan’s approval rating is low.
As is custom for commissioners at season-ending championship events, Monahan was at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club for the Tour Championship. During the post-tournament ceremony, Monahan was introduced by CBS’ Amanda Renner to say a few words before bringing Viktor Hovland out to receive the championship trophy.
Monahan’s first words were, “I want to start off by thanking all the great fans of the PGA Tour.” Moments before that, the fans let Monahan know that the feeling was not mutual, soundly booing him.
— Clps (@clps4wrk) August 28, 2023
Boos are not at all common at PGA Tour tournaments. Even events like the Ryder Cup, which have a more conventional home team versus road team dynamic, you’re more likely to hear bad shots from the visiting team get cheered than boos.
Golf fans took notice of the negative reaction to Monahan. And for the most part, they were fine with it.
Jay Monahan getting a little Gary Bettman treatment at East Lake
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) August 27, 2023
Oh wow, Monahan getting some boos 😂😂😂
— Joseph LaMagna (@JosephLaMagna) August 27, 2023
Good to hear the boo birds out for Jay Monahan
— Gump Cathcart (@bubbagumpino) August 27, 2023
Uhhh…those sounded like some pretty big boos for Jay Monahan on 18….
— Gabby Herzig (@GabbyHerzig) August 27, 2023
I love that Jay Monahan #PGATour commission was boo'd.
— Illadelph 80 (@Illadelph80_) August 27, 2023
today was the day jay monahan became a true sports commissioner https://t.co/0akepAmzKJ
— Paolo Uggetti (@PaoloUggetti) August 27, 2023
The foundation of LIV Golf put Monahan in a greater spotlight than most PGA Tour commissioners have ever experienced. But after generally taking hard-line stances against LIV and the golfers who defected from the PGA Tour, a surprising merger was announced in June. The partnership was highly criticized by golfers and politicians.
That frustration seems to still linger for at least some of the PGA Tour’s paying customers.
[Clps]
