PGA Tour's Jay Monahan calls LIV Golf an 'irrational threat' to growth of the sport

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan admitted Wednesday it would be unable to compete with LIV Golf when it comes to finances.

Monahan’s comments came as Brooks Koepka and Abraham Ancer became the latest golfers to sign on with LIV Golf.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during a news conference before the start of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

"I am not naïve. If this is an arms race and if the only weapons here are dollar bills, the PGA Tour can’t compete. The PGA Tour, an American institution, can’t compete with a foreign monarchy that is spending billions of dollars in attempt to buy the game of golf," Monahan said.

"We welcome good, healthy competition. The LIV Saudi golf league is not that. It's an irrational threat, one not concerned with the return on investment or true growth of the game."

But it’s not for lack of trying.

Monahan said an increase in prize money was in the works from its latest media rights deal in 2020, noting that the threat of LIV Golf accelerated some of those plans. He announced a streamlined schedule — January to August starting in 2024 — with seven tournaments worth $20 million or more and fewer spots available for its postseason.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP WILL ALLOW LIV GOLF COMPETITORS, ORGANIZER SAYS

Rory McIlroy, front right, shakes hands with PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan after winning the Canadian Open golf tournament in Toronto, Sunday, June 12, 2022.  (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

The fall would be for the players who finished outside the