Scottsdale, AZ …
New PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monaghan has labelled Rory McIlroy a ‘global brand’ and realising the future worth of the four-time Major winner.
McIlroy remains side-lined after a suffering a stress fracture in a rib and with suggestions he is looking to target a March 2nd return to competition.
And while there were scenes of ‘Tiger Mania’ last week at Torrey Pines when Tiger Woods ended a 17-month injury lay-off, Monaghan clearly knows the worth of having a fully fit McIlroy inside the ropes.
“Rory brings such great excitement to our Tour,” said Monaghan.
Newly-appointed PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monaghan speaking to the media for a first time as Commissioner and declaring Rory McIlroy is a ‘global product’.
“He is our current FedEx Cup champion. Look at what he did at the 16th hole at Eastlake last year, as no one provided more excitement that final round.
“Rory is a global brand. He is a very passionate about the game. He is very passionate how he competes at the highest level.
“He is also very passionate where he is from and we are very fortunate to have him in the sport and out front, and competing at the level he does.
“So, we want to get him back out here as we soon as he can.”
Rory McIlroy is a ‘global brand’ says newly-appointed PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monoghan.
Monaghan has been the job just a month since taking over the reins from Tim Finchem and already seems to bringing overdue fresh air to the game.
This includes vowing to work closer with the European Tour and avoid the scenario last year when Shane Lowry, as defending WGC – Bridgestone champ, and along with other Europeans, was torn between defending in Ohio but being denied Ryder Cup and World Ranking points by not contesting the French Open that same week, and in a bitter wrangle between both Tours stemming from problems caused with the staging of the Rio Olympic Games.
“The key to any partnership is communication and we’re going to continue to be good communicators,” said Monoghan.
“But then we will not be without our issues. I mean, these things happen and you can look back in time. There are a number of factors that led to the challenge that we had last year and there was no shortage of discussion about how we could rectify it, but I think it’s ‑‑ this sport is unique in the fact that it’s a global game with global tours and we take very seriously those relationships.”
And Lowry was proud to have picked himself up off the floor early after bogeying his opening three holes last Thursday last week at the Farmers Insurance and contest all four rounds in his first event of 2017.
Lowry eventually finished in a share of 33rd place at four under par and posting five birdies in his final round.
“After those three silly bogeys I played really good with plenty of birdies over the rest of that first round and over the past three rounds,” he said.
