‘Wonder If Jay Knows..’: Golf Fans Left Furious as PGA Tour Suffers a Major Setback Behest of a $121,000,000,000 Sponsor

Events on the PGA Tour have some of the biggest companies in the world bankrolling them, thanks to the popularity of stars like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. From Nike to Rolex to Callaway, the PGA Tour amasses billions in sponsorships every year.

Recently, however, news broke out that a company worth over $121,000,000,000 is pulling its sponsorship from a PGA Tour event. So, does the Tour have a new sponsor on the line? How are fans taking the news? Let’s find out!

PGA Tour on the lookout for new sponsor after old patron exits

$121,000,000 worth Telecommunications giant AT&T, became associated with the Byron Nelson event way back in 2014. Now, the company is ending its sponsorship of the event, resulting in the PGA Tour going on the lookout for a new partner.

According to reports, Raytheon Technologies, a Virginia-based aerospace and defense company, was set to take over. But, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, stepped in to put an end to the deal. So, what led to him making the decision?

It turns out that the company sells missiles to Saudi Arabia, whose Public Investment Fund also finances the Tour’s rival, LIV Golf league. Per Golfweek, Monahan rejected the deal at the nth hour, meaning that the search for a brand-new sponsor is still on.

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AT&T is not completely severing ties with the PGA Tour. In fact, the company is looking to amplify its investment in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which is set to become a designated event down the road. The event’s new status will mean a rise in prize money to $20 million, a huge part of which will likely be taken on by the title sponsor.

Meanwhile, Monahan’s decision has caused quite an uproar in the golf community, with many fans calling out the PGA Tour chief for his controversial intervention.

Fans react to PGA Tour ending deal with Raytheon

The PGA Tour cannot seem to catch a break as things got heated up yet again on Twitter. Golf enthusiasts on the platform have reacted strongly after commissioner Jay Monahan nixed a partnership with Raytheon Technologies for their dealings with Saudi Arabia.

This time, however, fans are speaking out against the 53-year-old. One fan called out his alleged anti-LIV narrative. LIV is not only backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, but its battle with PGA Tour is only picking up more steam by the day.

Some individuals on Twitter also called out the hypocritical nature of the decision. They have even pointed fingers at other PGA Tour sponsors. FedEx, a sponsor of the Tour for decades,  has also boosted business with Saudi Arabia in recent years.

The AT&T Byron Nelson is currently underway in Texas’s TPC Craig Ranch. The event will draw to an end on Sunday, with the winner taking home the biggest chunk of the $9,500,000 prize purse.

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What do you think of Monahan’s decision about not establishing ties with Raytheon? Do you agree with fans’ sentiments? Let us know in the comments below.