Billy Horschel, Tony Finau React Positively to Jay Monahan’s Explosive PGA Tour Player Memo

Horschel and Finau both touched on the memo at the 3M Open, and seemed to be happy with some of its central points.

After the conclusion of their rounds at the 3M Open, Billy Horschel and Tony Finau both provided comment on the explosive player memo released by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, marking his return from a leave of absence due to an undisclosed health-related issue. 

The memo, sent to players on Wednesday evening, most notably touched on future compensation for loyal PGA Tour members, pathways back to the Tour for LIV golfers, and the USGA’s proposed “Model Local Rule” to roll back the golf ball. 

In response to the letter, Horschel, a seven-time PGA Tour winner, vocalized his support for the commissioner’s recent actions. Horschel also showed sympathy for PGA Tour officials’ decision to keep the negotiations with Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund private from Tour membership.

“Listen, I’m very happy that Jay's back,” Horschel said after posting a 5-under 66 in the opening round of the tournament. “I think we all respect Jay and understand he’s done a tremendous job for the PGA Tour in his tenure as commissioner. I’m a massive fan of Jay. I know he cares a lot about the players, he cares a lot about this tour and sometimes that can get lost, people can forget about that. At the end of the day he wants to do what’s best for the players and the Tour. And that’s what he’s related to me since he’s come back.”

Horschel also reiterated a point that he has previously made: That the PGA Tour might be a “member-run” organization, but in actuality, it acts as a “member-input” Tour. 

When the news of the PGA Tour-PIF agreement broke earlier this summer, players received word of the deal online like the rest of the golf community, aside from a few players who were alerted just a few hours in advance, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.  

“At the end of the day, being more transparent is what we all would like out here,” Horschel said. “Understand that they always can’t be transparent to the fullest effect because there’s just things you can’t, you know, tell us right away. 

“Things aren’t done, deals aren’t done, framework, stuff like that is still in the early stages. So it’s a step in the right process for the guys out here who, you know, felt a little hurt by the way things went down. So kudos to Jay and to the PGA TOUR to taking a step forward and trying to be more transparent going forward. 

“Like I said, that’s what they’ve mentioned to us and that’s what they want to do. Obviously they want to get our input because at the end of the day we are part of the Tour. I don’t think it’s a member-run organization, I’ve said that many times. I think it’s a member-input tour, but we’re a part of the Tour and they want to make sure that our voices are heard as well.”

Finau on the hand, didn’t make mention of Monahan or the alliance with LIV Golf, but he did touch on the controversial “Model Local Rule” proposed by the USGA which would roll back the golf ball, decreasing the distances that professional golfers are currently reaching with advanced equipment technology. 

Monahan denounced the proposed roll back in his memo to players on Wednesday, saying “it is not warranted and it is not in the best interest of the game.” 

Finau, 33, agreed with the PGA Tour’s sentiments, and seems to oppose the ball roll back in general. 

“Yeah, I would say the main thing is that the PGA TOUR is taking a stand on the rollback of the golf ball. I think that that’s important, setting a precedent moving forward hopefully. You know, my opinion has always been that we should have our own rulebook on the PGA TOUR and we should abide by those. Seeing that they’re taking a stand when it comes to rolling the ball back, I thought that that was one of the main things I got from the memo,” Finau said. 

Finau is the current defending champion at the 3M Open, and also shot an opening round 65. Finau and Horschel both sit three shots back of the solo leader, Lee Hodges.