PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is leading the search for a first CEO. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

US golf’s elite PGA Tour is set to appoint a chief executive (CEO) for the first time to assist current tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

Monahan announced the CEO search himself in an end-of-year message posted on the tour’s social media accounts, stating: “We’re bringing new perspectives onto our team to help us realize the incredible opportunities ahead for our sport including launching a search for a CEO of the PGA Tour.

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“We can learn so much from across the world of sport and entertainment and I’m excited to meet candidates for this important new role.”

The search committee for the CEO role, which will include Monahan and others, will reportedly be spearheaded by US billionaire businessman Arthur Blank, a principal investor in the Strategic Sports Group (SSG) consortium and a member of the PGA Tour Enterprises commercial body.

Monahan first joined the PGA Tour in 2008 as the executive director of its Players Championship event, before rising through several executive roles until he became commissioner in January 2017.

There had been calls for Monahan to resign altogether in 2023 amid the fallout of the announcement of a shock deal with the breakaway LIV Golf tour to effectively merge.

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Over a year and a half on and that deal is still yet to be completed, although rumors persist that an agreement may be close that could end the saga.

2024 also saw the PGA Tour attract investment worth up to $3 billion from US consortium SSG, a move that saw four SSG partners (including Blank) take seats on the PGA Tour Enterprises board.

The PGA Tour is searching for a CEO at the same time as the PGA of America governing body after previous chief Seth Waugh stepped down earlier this year.

LIV Golf is also seeking a new chief, with current CEO Greg Norman stepping into a different role and is expected to be replaced by experienced sports executive Scott O’Neill.

Meanwhile, the Ladies PGA Tour is also seeking a new commissioner after Mollie Marcoux Samaan announced her resignation.