A longtime PGA Tour policy board member resigned Sunday over concerns about the tour’s deal to merge business operations with Saudi-backed LIV Golf, according to a report from The Washington Post.
Randall Stephenson, a former AT&T executive and policy board member since 2012, resigned from his position because he “had serious concerns” with the deal with LIV Golf, and it “is not one that I can objectively evaluate or in good conscience support,” he wrote, according to a copy of his resignation letter obtained by The Washington Post.
“I joined this board 12 years ago to serve the best players in the world and to expand the virtues of sportsmanship instilled through the game of golf,” Stephenson wrote. “I hope, as this board moves forward, it will comprehensively rethink its governance model and keep its options open to evaluate alternative sources of capital beyond the current framework agreement.”
Stephenson reportedly cited the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist, as one of the reasons he could not support the LIV Golf deal. The Saudi government, which funds LIV Golf through the state’s Public Investment Fund, has been accused of involvement in Khashoggi’s death.
Stephenson also said he had planned to resign on June 12, six days after the PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal was announced, but delayed his resignation after PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced on June 13 he was taking a leave of absence while recovering from an unspecified medical issue. On Friday, Monahan said he will return to the tour on July 17.
The PGA Tour confirmed Stephenson’s resignation to USA TODAY Sports via a memo sent to members Sunday night.
“We wanted to notify you that Randall Stephenson has resigned from his position on the PGA TOUR Policy Board. Please join us in thanking Randall for his exemplary service to this organization and dedication to you – the membership – for more than 12 years,” the statement read.
The departure of Stephenson comes days before the PGA Tour is set to testify before a Senate subcommittee surrounding its deal with LIV Golf.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Randall Stephenson resigns from PGA Tour policy board over LIV Golf