Tiger Woods attended a recent meeting between the PGA Tour and Saudi backers of LIV Golf that left him feeling optimistic about a potential deal to reunite the game. The meeting took place in New York City and was the first in-person gathering between the two sides since March. Woods, along with others, is part of a subcommittee engaged in negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding a potential deal. The discussions were productive, and Woods expressed that they are closer to finding a resolution than before the meeting.
In June 2023, the PGA Tour, PIF, and Europe-based DP World Tour announced a framework agreement to house all their commercial operations in a for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises. While the agreement expired at the end of 2023, the parties have been working to reach a deal to bring the fractured sport back together. The PGA Tour secured a $3-billion investment into PGA Tour Enterprises from a group of U.S. sports team owners, with the possibility of co-investment from the PIF. Woods shared that both sides are looking at different ways to reach their end goal, emphasizing a shared passion for achieving unity within the sport.
Despite his injury-ravaged body limiting the number of events he can play, Woods is returning to competition this week for the U.S. Open. This will be his first event since the PGA Championship, where he missed the halfway cut by eight shots. In preparation, Woods has been working on his chipping and putting, in addition to his fitness. He feels mentally and physically ready to compete in the tough four-day event, which is known for testing every aspect of a player’s game, especially mentally. Woods will be playing alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris for the first two rounds of the U.S. Open.
The discussions between the PGA Tour and the Saudi backers of LIV Golf have raised hopes for a potential deal that could reunite the sport. Woods expressed optimism after the recent meeting, which focused on finding a way to bring the sides together collaboratively. The PGA Tour announced a framework agreement in June 2023 to house all commercial operations within PGA Tour Enterprises. While the agreement expired, ongoing negotiations aim to reach a resolution. Both sides are committed to finding a way to unite the sport, despite differing opinions.
Woods, a 15-time major winner, is part of the subcommittee engaged in negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding a potential deal. The recent in-person meeting between the PGA Tour and the Saudi backers was productive, leading to increased optimism for a potential resolution. Woods emphasized that both sides share a passion for achieving unity within the sport, showcasing a willingness to work towards a common goal. Despite his injury struggles, Woods is gearing up for the U.S. Open, having focused on his fitness and skills in preparation for the tough competition. He believes he is mentally and physically ready to compete in the challenging event.
