Tiger Woods has voiced his frustration over the secretive nature of the recent golf civil war peace deal. The golf icon, who is set to return to the competition after recovering from ankle surgery, opened up about his disappointment during a pre-tournament press conference at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
While Woods is gearing up for his comeback on the course, the focus has shifted to the future of men's professional golf, particularly after he assumed a significant role in shaping the discussions by becoming a player-director on the PGA Tour's policy board.
The golf community was caught off guard when a framework agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) was revealed on June 6, with a tight deadline for finalization by December 31.
Reflecting on the unexpected announcement, Woods expressed his surprise and frustration, emphasizing the need for player involvement in such decisions. He insisted that the lack of input and information was a source of frustration for many players and vowed that such incidents should not occur again.
To address this, Woods advocated for increased player representation on the board, proposing six player directors to have more control over decisions affecting the players and the sport. He acknowledged the importance of avoiding hasty decisions without player involvement, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the future of professional golf, Woods sees an opportunity for positive change. As discussions unfold about the future of LIV Golf and the potential impact on players who joined the breakaway, Woods remains optimistic about finding a way to benefit everyone involved.
While the prospect of becoming Ryder Cup captain in 2025 has been discussed, Woods, deeply engrossed in his new player-director role, indicated that such conversations would have to wait. His primary focus remains on making a lasting impact on the PGA Tour's future and preserving the integrity of the sport.
As Woods prepares for his return to competitive golf, he acknowledges that his love for competition is what continues to drive him. However, he also recognizes the inevitable reality that there will come a time when he won't be able to win again, prompting him to contemplate the day when he will gracefully step away from the sport.