‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model

January 7, 2024; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Chris Kirk celebrates winning on the 18th hole during the final round of The Sentry golf tournament at Kapalua Golf – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Monahan and his circuit have undoubtedly entered a new phase in its run. The reason: none other than the deal with SSG, which helped them secure an investment of $3 billion into the game. Although many athletes were initially kind of apprehensive of the PGA Tour and its management during the whole negotiations phase, a lot of golfers were confident that it would deliver, including Chris Kirk.
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The American Pro was responding to a query thrown at him regarding the same at a press conference ahead of the upcoming event, the Cognizant Classic. Meanwhile, as he did so, the 38-year-old went ahead to exude complete faith in the commissioner and the Tour all the while mentioning how they have the “best intentions” of the golfers in mind!
PGA Tour finds credence in Chris Kirk
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“I’m very focused on what my job is, not what their job is,” declared Kirk with absolute faith when asked about the recent deal with the Fenway Group-led consortium. “Yeah, I have trust in them,” added the pro before continuing to declare how “everybody that’s running the TOUR has our(sic) best intentions in mind.” Moreover, he also pointed out how the efforts of the officials, including that of Monahan’s, are focused on the aim of furthering the game and the Tour.
Continuing with his response, the 6-time PGA Tour champ mentioned how he could call “anybody on the player relations team,” even the commissioner’s cell phone and he would answer, exhibiting trust once again. Adding on, he also commended the circuit for “doing a great job with a really, really hard situation” when “difficult” things were thrown at them over the recent years.
Meanwhile, he was also inquired about the equity that would be shared with the members of the PGA Tour and its working. “I’ve read over some of the basic models,” said the Tennessee-born athlete. However, he was quick to point out his lack of knowledge regarding the same as he confessed, “I don’t have a comprehensive enough understanding of it to really try to explain it right now.”
USA Today via Reuters January 7, 2024; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Chris Kirk hits his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of The Sentry golf tournament at Kapalua Golf – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
But, not everyone oozed out blind faith in the commissioner and the Tour. There were many, including the likes of Collin Morikawa, who had raised their concerns back when the PGAT-LIV Golf merger was announced.
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“We want to know the why,” said a surprised Morikawa, back in 2023, when the whole framework agreement was announced. What’s more, he had also mentioned how “there’s too many answers to really put it into one underlying umbrella of the why” owing to the fact that many parties were involved. Nevertheless, he did truly express his curiosity about why the whole thing went down without them knowing.
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Later on, this year, the 27-year-old had also complained about how the mails that the circuit sends its players have all been “fluff” all the while divulging how there’s “no point in reading them.” Moreover, he also hinted at the troubles the pros have been facing during the whole ordeal while suggesting how steps need to be taken to remedy the same. Well, it appears not everyone had the same opinion as Kirk did throughout the process. Nevertheless, the 2024 Sentry Champ seems to be happy he chose to do so. Is his faith placed in the right person? Only time will tell!