Jon Rahm Stands Behind PGA Tour Commissioner: 'I Think He's Done a Fantastic Job'

While several top players said that Jay Monahan would have to regain their trust, the world No. 3 believes he simply needs time to complete the deal to unify pro golf.

HOYLAKE, England — Unlike several of his peers, Jon Rahm said he has no trust issues with Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner who has come under scrutiny due to his behind-the-scenes deal with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

Rahm, who won the Masters this year and is ranked third in the world (No. 3 in the SI World Golf Rankings), said in a news conference Tuesday morning at Royal Liverpool that he believes Monahan needs time to follow through on the framework agreement that still has many uncertainties as it relates to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

"As it comes to what he's been doing for us and the PGA Tour, I think he's done a fantastic job," Rahm said in advance of the British Open that begins Thursday. "I would say it was unexpected what happened. I think what the management of the PGA Tour, the turn they took without us knowing was very unexpected, but I still think he's been doing a great job.

"And right now after that happened, I only think it's fair to give them the right time to work things out. I still think they have the best interest of the players at heart. All we have right now ... it's a framework agreement. It's an agreement to have an agreement. We really don't have anything right now to be able to say or judge what they've done."

The agreement announced June 6 came as a huge surprise and has left many in the game unclear how the issues related to the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the PIF will be resolved. PGA Tour Inc., is expected to remain its own entity, but how a for-profit company known as PGA Tour Enterprises that will include the DP World Tour and LIV Golf looks in the future remains unclear.

A few players at the Scottish Open last week expressed their concerns with Monahan and how he would need to re-earn their trust, chief among them Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler.

Most players, including Rahm, acknowledge their remain too many unknowns.

Asked if Monahan had lost his trust, Rahm said: "No. Again, he still has all this time to work this agreement to basically prove that this was the right decision. No, as of right now, no."

Monahan returned to work Monday after a month-long leave due to an undisclosed health issue that was announced on June 13, just a week after the framework agreement was announced.

Rahm described Monahan "as a really good man whose been very good to my family" and said he’d conversed via text message and "I hope his health has gone back to normal."

One of the talking points as part of the agreement is financial rewards for players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour with punishment for any LIV Golf players who want to come back.

"It's a tricky question," Rahm said. "I understand the PGA Tour wanting to do something for those players who helped and stayed on the PGA Tour, but at the same time—and I'll be the first one to say—I wasn't forced into anything. It was my choice to stay.

"Do I think they absolutely should be and there must be a compensation? No. I just stayed because I think it's the best choice for myself and for the golf I want to play."

Then, to laughter, Rahm said: "Now, with that said, if they want to do it, I'm not going to say no."

"We all had the chance to go to LIV and take the money and we chose to stay at the PGA Tour for whatever reason we chose," he added. "As I've said before, I already make an amazing living doing what I do. I'm extremely thankful, and that all happened because of the platform the PGA Tour provided me.

"As far as I'm concerned they've done enough for me, and their focus should be on improving the PGA Tour and the game of golf for the future generations."

As for players facing penalties to come back, Rahm acknowledged that many who play for LIV Golf are not necessarily interested in returning.

"That's one of the things that the agreement needs to sort out," he said. "From what I hear, they don't really want to come back, so I don't know. It's tricky, right?

"I can understand people on the PGA Tour not wanting those players back, and I can also understand why some of them want to come back. There's some great events that a lot of people probably want to go and play again, some great golf courses, as well.

"I do believe that some punishment should be in order, but I don't know what—I'm not a politician. That's not my job. That's for the disciplinary board and other people that are paid to do that. My job is to hit the golf ball and try to do the best I can."

Rahm, who has four victories this year on the PGA Tour, will be competing in the Open for the seventh time, with his best finish a tie for third two years ago at Royal St. George’s.