Davis Love III Calls for Patience Among Players in Open Letter

Love has served on the policy board five times and expressed confidence that players will have their opportunity for input on the new alliance with LIV Golf.

Davis Love III, who has served on the PGA Tour policy board five times, has called for patience among players and sponsors as the next steps are taken following the surprising announcement two weeks ago that an agreement had been reached to partner with the DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

Love, 59, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, was among those who strongly spoke out against the LIV Golf Tour and the defection of players to the new circuit.

In the aftermath of the announcement of the “framework of a deal,’’ commissioner Jay Monahan has been severely criticized, as for more than a year he noted the moral and ethical implications of being part of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League.

But in an open letter to Monahan as well as players, sponsors and Tour staff that was first reported by Golf Channel, Love said that he is “confident and trust that any decisions – in the future as in the past – will have the same due process and player input.’’

Five-time policy board member Davis Love III calls for
patience in open letter to PGA Tour commissioner and membership. pic.twitter.com/qThXhLNqxR

— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) June 20, 2023

After first wishing Monahan well as he deals with an undisclosed health issue, Love pointed out that he served on the board fives times and worked with commissioners Deane Beman, Tim Finchem and Monahan.

“Our three commissioners have one critical, common trait: the unwavering goal of basing all decisions on what’s best for the players, sponsors, loyal fans and the game, as well as generating millions of dollars for charity,’’ Love wrote. “This growth has only been possible because our commissioners and the Independent Board Directors have always guided us to sound business decisions, and player input has been central to those decisions, as the Player Directors have an equal voice and votes, to approve or deny our path forward.’’

Love later wrote that “if we are patient and work together we will achieve the best result for our Tour, and our partners and fans. As always, you, the players and the Policy Board have my full support."

Love’s open letter came a day after another open letter was sent to Monahan by Hall of Famer Tom Watson, who questioned the decision-making process and joining forces with the Public Investment Fund, which is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

While there is still much to be determined, the initial disclosures about the agreement spelled out that the assets of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf would be combined into a new for-profit LLC that for now is being called NewCo. The PIF would make a minority investment in the new company.

The board of directors of the new company would be comprised of Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the PIF, who would be the chairman. Monahan would be CEO and Jimmy Dunne and Ed Hirlihy would serve as directors. Dunn, Hirlihy and Monahan were the only people involved in negotiations.

The tax-exempt portion, known as PGA Tour Inc., and operated as a 501c-6, would remain as is and separate from the new entity and would consist of the PGA Tour as we know it today.

A player meeting was set to take place on Tuesday at the Travelers Championship in Hartford, with the Policy Board meeting scheduled for next week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic outside of Detroit.