When PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks, it’s a notable event. Not because any of the comments are substantive, but because he speaks in public so rarely.

Below are some highlights from today’s State of the Union Address featuring Jay Monahan and Tyler Dennis, Chief of Operations at the PGA Tour, and someone that gets passed some of the tougher questions.

On the possibility of rotating venues during the FedEx Cup Playoffs: 

A 484-word response followed by, “I don’t expect at this point any change to the model that we have, but I do expect us to challenge our thinking as we go forward.” 

This back-and-forth was emblematic of today’s press conference and many past press conferences delivered by Jay Monahan. A long, unsubstantial response about why the existing product is in a strong state followed by tempering expectations about any future changes. 

On the Strategic Sports Group investment and negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund: 

“We now have the structure and resources we need to define the future of professional golf on our terms and the significant support of a world-class group of investors.” 

“…we’re at the table and actively engaged with the Public Investment Fund. We remain hopeful about that outcome…We have not agreed to a deadline. I don’t think we want to restrict ourselves in that way.” 

Some might say that, per the Framework Agreement announced on June 6, 2023, there was an agreed upon deadline of December 31, 2023. 

On innovations coming to the presentation of the PGA Tour product: 

“…our new PGA Tour Studios will give us that capability like never before. In the past and for example, if a fan in Tokyo wanted to watch Hideki Matsuyama’s win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, they watched basically the same broadcast as a fan here in Atlanta. Going forward, with dedicated resources, made possible by PGA Tour Studios, we’re launching our new world feed…which will allow us to customize the presentation of PGA Tour golf for markets worldwide.” 

This seems like a positive development for the PGA Tour. Nothing from Monahan’s press conference inspired confidence in a reduced commercial load, but customizing feeds to different markets across the world creates a strong opportunity to engage golf fans across the world. 

On the tour’s position with respect to the golf ball rollback set to take effect in 2028: 

“No real update on our end other than we’re working hard to take a close data-driven look at all of it, understand what’s going to happen, and provide feedback to our partners at the USGA and R&A.” 

Monahan and Dennis stressed the importance of a data-driven approach in navigating the rollback issue. I would stress that since ShotLink is the source of this data, the tour needs to be well-versed and adept at analyzing and interpreting this data when extrapolating insights. The distances of tee shots during a cold, rainy week at Pebble Beach are completely different than distances hit in altitude at Castle Pines. Transparency into the tour’s methodology for generating their data-driven insights would be useful.  

On the competitive nature of the PGA Tour: 

“Winning on the PGA Tour remains incredibly difficult. It is the ultimate achievement in golf.” 

I’m curious if the tour is also sharing that insight with their partners at the USGA and R&A. 

On reported PGA Tour suspensions for players who have competed on LIV: 

“Players that have never played on the (PGA) Tour and have no outstanding connection to previous membership, there is a one-year waiting period between when you play in an unauthorized event and being able to return to the PGA Tour…Players who are members of the tour also have all of our tournament regulations and conduct policies applying to them. I’m not going to get into details about that, but there’s an additional set of guidelines there to consider.” 

At least for now, details around suspensions for former or current PGA Tour members will not be disclosed.

On the possibility of seeing changes to the PGA Tour schedule beyond 2025: 

“For fans, I would expect to see what you have in ‘25 largely on a go-forward basis, but we’re always open to improving if there’s opportunities to improve.” 

It seems as if there’s a disconnect between the PGA Tour and fans on the significance of the changes that have been to the PGA Tour schedule over the past couple of years. If you’re a fan who believes that the product would benefit from a freshened schedule, don’t hold your breath. 

On the urgency to reach a deal with the Saudi PIF: 

“It’s stronger…I think when you get into productive conversations, that enhances the likelihood of positive outcomes, and that enhances the spirit of those very conversations. I think that’s where things stand.” 

Well said.