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The PGA Tour’s decision to partner with LIV Golf is a massive one on so many levels. And while there are still a lot of unknowns about what the ranking will entail, one thing seems clear: PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan has a few long days ahead of him.
Many PGA players have expressed frustration and complaints about the way Monahan secretly united with LIV and not sending a letter about the decision until after the news was public.
betrayal It’s a word that at least a few players have said anonymously.
Monahan was involved in a lawsuit with LIV Golf; He has also suspended players who have left the PGA Tour for the upstart league over the past year or so.
Then there’s the video below: An interview with CBS’ Jim Nantz during last year’s Canadian Open shows Monahan candidly discussing why PGA players remain loyal to the tour.
Nantz referred to A New York Post A story about a coalition of 9/11 families who sent letters to clients of a handful of LIV golfers, “expressing their anger at the golfers for participating in the new league, accusing them of sportswashing and betraying the United States.”
“I have two families close to me who have lost loved ones,” Monahan said, adding, “My heart goes out to them, and I would ask any player who has left, or may be considering leaving, have you ever had to apologize for being a member of the PGA Tour?”
9/11 Family United issues a statement on Jay Monahan
Following the PGA Tour’s decision to partner with LIV Golf, the 9/11 United Families Alliance issued a statement in response, from its president Terry Strada, whose husband Tom died in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
the statement It reads as follows:
“9/11 Families United is shocked and deeply offended by the newly announced merger between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf league that was funded with billions in sports laundering money from Saudi Arabia. Saudi activists played a role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and now fund all Professional golf games.
“PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan picked on last year’s 9/11 community in the PGA’s explicit agreement that the Saudi LIV project is nothing more than a sporting wash of Saudi Arabia’s reputation. But now it appears that the PGA and Monahan have become just paid Saudi shillings, taking billions of dollars to clean up the Saudi reputation so that Americans and the world will forget how the kingdom spent billions of dollars before 9/11 to fund and spread terrorism. Their stinging hatred of Americans, their financing of al Qaeda and the killing of our loved ones. Make no mistake – we will never forget.
Mr. Monahan spoke last summer about knowing people who lost loved ones on 9/11, and then asked aloud on national television if LIV golfers should apologize for being on the PGA Tour. They do now — as does he. He should be ashamed. “The PGA Tour leaders of their hypocrisy and greed. The 9/11 community has been betrayed by Commissioner Monahan and the PGA as it seems their concern for our loved ones was merely window dressing in their pursuit of money – never a tribute to the great game of golf.”
9/11 Families United is an alliance made up of family members who lost loved ones or survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. According to their website, their community has over 10,000.