Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA Tour, reportedly earned over $23 million in total compensation last year, a figure that has sparked significant criticism among fans. Many have labeled him the “worst commissioner in history” due to frustrations about his leadership and the substantial increase in his pay. His compensation package included $12.1 million in bonuses and incentives, $6.7 million from long-term incentive plans after 2023, $2.5 million in retirement benefits, and a base salary of $1.8 million. The amount has led many to question how a non-player can justify earning such a large sum, especially when active players feel undervalued in comparison.
Monahan’s earnings have grown considerably in recent years. In 2017, he earned $3.9 million, which increased to $14.2 million by 2020, though the PGA Tour clarified that only $8.3 million of that was his annual salary, with $5.9 million allocated for long-term incentives and retirement benefits. By 2022, his total compensation had climbed to $18.6 million. If this trend continues, his 2024 earnings could set a new record, though those details will not emerge until next year.
This disparity has been highlighted by comparing Monahan’s earnings to those of top-performing players. Xander Schauffele, who had a remarkable season by winning two major championships, earned approximately $18 million in 2024. Ahead of the Tour Championship, he was the only player who could have surpassed Scottie Scheffler’s total earnings for the year. Scheffler, who finished as the top earner with $29.2 million in prize money, is expected to be the only player who out-earns Monahan when the 2024 numbers are finalized.
Golf writer Bob Harig pointed out that the gap between Monahan’s pay and player earnings will remain stark. While Scheffler’s earnings are significantly higher than Schauffele’s $18 million, both players may still feel discontented seeing Monahan, a non-player, earning more than most athletes competing year-round.
This tension is not new. Earlier in 2024, Schauffele expressed his disappointment with Monahan’s leadership, particularly after the controversial announcement of the PIF agreement in 2023. He accused Monahan of failing to represent players during chaotic times and said that regaining players’ trust would be a challenging task. In an interview before The Memorial Tournament, Schauffele emphasized the need for strong leadership in the PGA Tour, remarking, “We need someone to lead us, we need a leader. My job is to play good golf and show how exciting golf can be.”
Schauffele acknowledged Monahan’s support from the board but maintained that trust among the players was still lacking. He described trust as “tender” and expressed that while Monahan could potentially become a trusted figure, he still had a long way to go to achieve that.
The growing rift between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has added to the controversies surrounding Monahan. His compensation and leadership have become focal points of debates, with fans and players divided on whether his high pay is justified, particularly given the current state of the Tour and its challenges. Many believe that while he has achieved some success, his leadership and actions have left much to be desired, especially in maintaining unity and trust within the sport.