PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan steps away to recover from ‘medical situation’, just days after agreeing LIV merger

Jay Monahan has temporarily relinquished day-to-day control of the PGA Tour to recover from a “medical situation”.

Monahan and the Tour’s policy board released a joint statement, which read: “The board fully supports Jay and appreciates everyone respecting his privacy.

“During Jay’s absence, Ron Price, chief operating officer, and Tyler Dennis, executive vice president & president, PGA Tour, will lead the day-to-day operations of the PGA Tour with the assistance of the great team Jay has built, ensuring seamless continuity.

“We will provide further updates as appropriate.”

Meanwhile, Price and Dennis added in their statement: “Our thoughts are with Jay and his family during his absence, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

“We have a strong and experienced leadership team in place and our priority is to support our players and continue the work under way to further lead the PGA Tour and golf’s future.”

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the upcoming US Open, Rahm said: “I think it gets to a point where you want to have faith in management, and I want to have faith that this is the best thing for all of us, but it’s clear that that’s not the consensus.

“The general feeling is that a lot of people feel a bit of betrayal from management.”

Rahm reportedly turned down £159 million to join LIV. However, several high-profile stars have taken up spots on the new tour, such as Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen.

The PGA Tour said: “We are confident that once Congress learns more about how the PGA Tour will control this new venture, they will understand the opportunities this will create for our players, our communities and our sport, all while protecting an American golf institution.”

Attention now turns to the third major of the year as the US Open begins in Los Angeles on Thursday.