Jack Nicklaus stands by his word. When Jay Monahan was taking punches from every corner after the merger announcement, the veteran golfer strongly lent his support to the PGAT commissioner. Once again, as the Tour extended the merger deadline, Nicklaus still feels the golf world should stand by Jay Monahan’s side.

Speaking to Golf Central, in a wide-ranging discussion that went from Tiger Woods’s chances of 18 Majors (Hint: Nicklaus feels his record is secure) to the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger, the veteran golfer weighed in on everything trendy. The retired PGA Tour pro didn’t seem much concerned about the criticism from various quarters, as he once again banged the drum for the sitting PGAT commissioner.

Jack Nicklaus got Jay Monahan’s back

Monahan, since announcing the merger plans, has faced calls for his resignation. But the Tour boss, in the NYT Dealbook Summit, claimed he was still the best man for the job. Nicklaus certainly believes it, as the 18-time Major winner said, “I know Jay’s taken a beating, but I’ve always been in full support of Jay.”

Notably, the 83-year-old has backed the June 6 framework agreement, which is why many players have felt backstabbed since the beginning. Commenting on the matter previously, Jack Nicklaus opined, “This is good for the game of golf.” At the time, the PGAT veteran revealed he spoke with the commissioner after the merger announcement.

This time as well, the retired pro feels whatever Jay Monahan is doing behind the smokescreen is in the good interest of the game and the players. Nicklaus strongly sided with the 53-year-old CEO in the Golf Central interview, claiming that “Everything Jay’s done has been in the best interest of golf and the Tour.” Nicklaus, in fact, is in touch with the PGA Tour commissioner even now.

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The veteran said he had a tête-à-tête with the PGAT commissioner recently. What did they speak about? Jack Nicklaus sidestepped the question by quipping that he specifically asked Monahan not to spill any beans as he might have to tell the secrets when he sits with Rich Lerner (Golf Central Host) later. Rather, the legend shared his two cents on LIV Golf.

Nicklaus calls LIV Golf a force to be reckoned with

Calling the upstart league a “powerful addition”, the 73-time PGA Tour winner said LIV Golf has made a thumping impact on the game. Nicklaus, like many others, didn’t see it coming, as the veteran thoughtfully added, “The LIV thing has been a powerful addition to the game, probably impacted a lot more than we thought it was going to.”

Nicklaus also believes it is in the best interest of the game that the two sides come together. The Tour, notably, has extended the deadline without setting a new one specifically. But the whispers inside the golf world indicate that Jay Monahan is rather “firm” about reaching a breakthrough before the Masters.

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