Just when it seemed the narrative surrounding men's professional golf might return to the course with the arrival of the 50th Players Championship, the "fifth major," the PGA Tour's potential deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and commissioner Jay Monahan's future became hot topics again Tuesday.
Much of the discussion leading up to the PGA Tour's flagship event has focused on golfers who aren't here -- reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm and other stars who are competing in the rival LIV Golf League and two-time Players Championship winner Tiger Woods, who is skipping this week's tournament for undisclosed reasons.