Seth Waugh, who recently voiced concerns over the “messy” state of men's professional golf amid the PGA Tour-LIV Golf split, is stepping down as CEO of PGA of America.
The PGA of America elected not to renew Waugh's contract, which runs through the end of June, according to a report in GolfWeek. Waugh released a statement on Wednesday afternoon announcing the resignation on his terms.
“I recently informed the board that I would not be renewing my contract that is set to expire on June 30, but am honored to continue to serve the association as a Senior Adviser.”
Waugh, 66, served as CEO for the past six years.
“The goal from the start was to leave the room better than we found it and I believe that together we have done just that,” he wrote. “Golf has never been younger or a better reflection of the greater population. It's never been more forward leaning, more popular or considered cooler than it is today.”
Ahead of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Waugh sounded the alarm on the divided sport as negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's backer, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, continue to inch along.
“I think the best thing for the game is a deal,” Waugh said. “And we’ve been very consistent on that front. What has been an unsustainable business model has put pressure on other places like the (PGA Tour) that creates some financial dynamics as well as other dynamics that are very hard, and quite frankly it puts some financial pressure on us, as well.”
“I don’t think the game is big enough for two tours like that, and I think we are diluting the game in a way that is not healthy. We’ve said that, really, from the beginning. I hope there’s a deal. I think both sides are not only committed to trying to find a deal but really need a deal, and in my history of deal making, when both sides kind of need something to happen, it generally does.”
Representatives from the PGA Tour — including, on some occasions, Monahan, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy — have been meeting with PIF on a regular basis over the past several weeks. A draft of a new framework agreement is reportedly expected in the near future.
“I hope there’s urgency because I do think it’s doing damage to the Tour, to the game,” added Waugh. “As I said earlier, I hope it’s short-term damage, as opposed to permanent damage, and so I hope there’s some urgency in the timing around it because I just don’t think it’s a healthy situation right now.”
As CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas, Waugh worked with the PGA Tour to create the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston (2003-2018). He hired now-PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan as the tournament director.
One report indicated that either Kerry Haigh or John Easterbrook is expected to take over for Waugh.
The PGA of America — which operates separately from the PGA Tour — also oversees the Ryder Cup, KPMG Women's PGA Championship and KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
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