The PLAYERS: Xander Schauffele sounds off on PGA Tour Commissioner

After PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan spoke to the press for the primary time since August, Xander Schauffele was subsequent in line within the media room.

Not even a minute of his press convention had handed, and Schauffele instantly fielded a query about Monahan’s management.

“I suppose we are going to begin with a simple one,” Schauffele stated with a smile.

“Belief is one thing that’s fairly tender, so phrases are phrases. In my guide, [Monahan has] a protracted approach to go to achieve the belief of the membership… I’m certain he’s bought the assist of the board since they have been with him making a few of these selections, however for me personally, he’s bought fairly a protracted approach to go.”

Schauffele has made related feedback earlier than.

Final summer time, forward of the Genesis Scottish Open, Schauffele admitted he had misplaced belief in Monahan. At that time, the commissioner had taken a go away of absence to deal with anxiousness stemming from the PGA Tour’s framework settlement with the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF), the beneficiary of LIV Golf.

Picture by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Pictures

“I don’t belief individuals simply,” Schauffele stated in July. “He had my belief, and he has lots much less of it now. So I don’t stand alone after I say that.”

Many different professionals have expressed related sentiments throughout the previous yr, similar to Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffer.

And so they have purpose to take action. Earlier than hanging a cope with the PIF, Monahan paraded the tour’s efforts whereas disparaging LIV Golf and all it stood for. He additionally leaned on 9/11 households, asking gamers on reside tv in 2022, “Have you ever ever needed to apologize for taking part in on the PGA Tour?”

Then, behind everybody’s backs, Monahan and a choose variety of PGA Tour leaders struck a cope with the PIF, hoping to convey the sport again collectively once more.

That didn’t sit nicely with the gamers, and it nonetheless does to not today—virtually one yr later.

Nonetheless, Schauffele can solely management a lot.

“I haven’t actually put a complete lot of thought, truthfully, into what would make me be ok with this entire factor,” Schauffele added.

Picture by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Pictures

“As I stated [at The Sentry in Maui], I actually put my head within the sand, and what would make me really feel good is to lift this trophy [at The PLAYERS] on Sunday. I haven’t actually thought an excessive amount of about find out how to alleviate the pains of a whole membership.”

Over the previous few years, Monahan has modified the construction of a handful of occasions. Often called Signature Occasions for the 2024 season, these tournaments function elevated purses, restricted fields, and infrequently no minimize. The Arnold Palmer Invitational just lately served because the fourth iteration of this idea this season.

However these modifications haven’t affected Schauffele’s strategy to getting ready for an occasion.

“I don’t see myself getting ready or serious about it any totally different than I did previous to the splitting of excursions,” Schauffele stated.

“I simply see much less of the fellows that I’m used to seeing after I first got here out on TOUR. In order that side is totally different. However my day-to-day is just about the identical. Nonetheless making an attempt to organize and win these occasions like I used to be prior.”

Regardless of these modifications and aversions throughout the skilled sport, Schauffele nonetheless enjoys going to work every single day. He loves enjoying golf. He loves his job, and on the finish of the day, that’s what issues probably the most to him.

“For me to return and work and mess up after which strive once more or hit a great shot and try to validate it, to me, it’s the very best job on the planet,” Schauffele stated.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. You should definitely try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.