Golf Australia – April 2018

when Woods is part of the fi eld, and tournaments
trending considerably higher on social media
likewise, it’s evident that a resurgence by the
14-time major champion would bring back
the fans who left the game, when he fell into
decline, and potentially inspire new ones to get
themselves acquainted with golf.
Certainly, after so many failed attempts in the
past four years, Monahan, for one, is keeping his
fi ngers crossed that 2018 is the year Woods can
sustain a successful comeback.
“The fascination with Tiger Woods remains,”
Monahan says. “He is a once-in-a-generation
talent, so what’s not to love about having him
back healthy?
“But I think Zach Johnson said it best when
he told reporters in Hawaii that he thinks this
young generation of star players deserve the
opportunity to experience the thrill of competing
against an in-form Tiger Woods.
“Keeping within that framework but extending
it to the new generation of golf fans who’ve
come on line in the last fi ve years – they, too, are
excited about seeing for maybe the fi rst time this
incredible athlete in good health. We all know his
impact on golf.”
Even with the absence of Woods in
recent years, when Monahan took over as
Commissioner, he inherited a Tour in great
health with assets totaling more than $2 billion,

tournament purses worth millions of dollars and

players performing in front of huge audiences.

The digital initiatives and globalisation moves

of the Tour, which Finchem set in stone and

Monahan is now looking to take further, have

been implemented to enhance the success of

American golf in the past two decades or so and

secure its prosperity for the long term.

However, Monahan knows that the future of

his Tour will ultimately be determined by the

next generation of players, the quality of their

game and how they appeal to sports fans around

the world. Fortunately, for him, with the likes

of Jordan Spieth, 24, Justin Thomas, 24, and

now Jon Rahm, 23, breaking through, on the

surface, at least, it looks like he may just have the

marketable stars he needs.

“In our 2016-17 season, 28 of our tournaments

were won by players in their 20s – and 20

were won by those 25 or younger,” concludes

Monahan. “As we start the 2018 portion of this

season, six of the top 10 in the O cial World Golf

Rankings are PGA Tour members in their 20s;

the three you mention, plus Hideki Matsuyama,

24, Rickie Fowler, 29, and Brooks Koepka, 27.

“For a variety of reasons this is great for the

vitality of the game. These are young stars who

have the ability to connect with fans – they’ve

grown up with the social media landscape and

understand the dynamics in play – how they

are building their own brand and growing the

game globally.

“Plus, they play an exciting style of golf that

that young fans embrace. The fact that the line

of great, young players stretches far deeper than

the six names mentioned here indeed gives me

reason to love our PGA Tour future.”

Monahan says a fit Tiger

Woods is welcomed back

with open arms.

I FEEL I WAS

WELL-PREPARED

TO HANDLE THIS

POSITION, HAVING

SERVED UNDER

ONE OF THE GREAT

COMMISSIONERS IN

SPORTS,

TIM FINCHEM.

• JAY MONAHAN

golf australia | APRIL 2018 65