Tiger Woods (left) and Rory McIlroy on the 18th fairway during the R&A Celebration of Champions event at the 150th Open at St Andrews (Richard Sellers/PA) ![]() “The player that, especially over the last 20 years, has left the biggest legacy on the game, for him to be involved in the discussions around the future of professional golf and what that may look like is very important. McIlroy, who is also on the policy board with Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Charley Hoffman and Peter Malnati, said: “It’s a great addition. Woods, 47, has not played since withdrawing from April’s Masters and concedes his playing opportunities will be extremely limited going forward, but the 15-time major winner remains a hugely influential figure in the game. It means the new board will be made up of six player-directors, five independent directors – including a replacement for Randall Stephenson, who resigned over “serious concerns” about the deal last month – and the PGA of America director. Woods becoming a player-director is part of what the PGA Tour announced last week as a new agreement “to ensure that the Tour lives up to its mission of being a player-driven organisation, for the players, by the players”. Tiger Woods on the 13th hole during the weather-delayed third round of the Masters in April (Matt Slocum,AP file) Masters champion Jon Rahm said players felt a sense of “betrayal” that the deal was negotiated in secret, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan facing calls to resign when the Framework Agreement was revealed on June 6. Woods and McIlroy have been the biggest advocates of the established tours in their battle with LIV Golf, but were kept in the dark before the shock announcement of a deal between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV. ![]() I’d like to think and hope the membership understands that’s what Tiger has in mind, especially with him clearly not playing as much.Rory McIlroy has thanked Tiger Woods for easing the burden on his fellow players by joining the PGA Tour’s policy board in response to anger at the proposed deal between golf’s rival factions. “It’s about the majority and what’s best for the entire PGA Tour. “You’re never going to make everybody happy,” he said. Thomas warned, however, that it would likely take more than Woods to soothe players who felt betrayed by Monahan. “I don’t think there’s anybody else I would want speaking on my behalf and the rest of the guys,” he said. That included two-time Major winner Justin Thomas, a long-time friend of Woods. Players at this week’s Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, supported the move. “Any agreement we reach must be shaped by our members’ input and approval earned through our player directors.” “I’m committed to taking the necessary steps to restore any lost trust or confidence that occurred as a result of the surprise announcement of our framework agreement,” he said. ![]() But Monahan said having the leadership and voice of the veteran is “welcomed and impactful” as he tries to complete the PGA-LIV deal. Woods, 47, has been limited in his ability to play in recent years by severe leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash. “It’s Tiger coming up with it and I think he wants to be part of the PGA Tour going forward.” This is the best move we’ve made in the past few months,” he said. ![]() “To have him sit in those meetings now is very powerful and I think his voice will be listened to.”Īnd, he added, it will begin rebuilding the trust between Monahan and the players. “Tiger has done more for golf than arguably anybody,” he said. PGA player Charley Hoffman said Woods pushed for a place among the decision makers and Monahan had little choice but to agree.
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