Tiger Woods admits his part in tour-LIV talks could cost him Ryder Cup captaincy

Negotiations between the PGA Tour, DP World and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – which bankrolls LIV Golf – have been ongoing since the shock Framework Agreement between them was announced 11 months ago.

Tiger Woods was dealing with back problems the last time Valhalla staged the US PGA in 2014 and missed the cut (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

Tiger Woods made a preview visit to Valhalla last week and arrived Sunday to continue preparations for the PGA Championship on the super-sized course where he won the third leg of his Tiger Slam in a duel with Bob May in 2000.

While trying to compete might be Woods’ preferred focus this week, the 15-time major winner couldn’t avoid constant questions about his bigger role on the PGA Tour Policy Board and the transaction committee that is negotiating peace with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

“I think we’re working on negotiations with PIF. It’s ongoing; it’s fluid; it changes day-to-day,” Woods said Tuesday. “Has there been progress? Yes. But it’s an ongoing negotiation, so a lot of work ahead for all of us with this process, and so we’re making steps and it may not be giant steps, but we’re making steps.

“I’m not going to comment on whatever or not our negotiations (are about) and in that nature, except that we’re making steps. That’s all I can say. I’m personally involved in the process.” 

Good morning from Valhalla. pic.twitter.com/s5WSRruoFe

— PGA of America (@PGA) May 14, 2024

That was hardly a satisfying response considering on Monday the board member who got the ball rolling last year between the PGA Tour and the funding power behind LIV Golf, Jimmy Dunne, resigned from his position citing his role being “utterly superfluous.” 

“Jimmy and the amount of work and dedication that he put into the board and to the PGA Tour, it’s been incredible,” Woods said. “It was a bit surprising that he resigned yesterday and just how it all came about, but, no, his role and his help, then what he’s been able to do for the PGA Tour has been great.” 

Woods conceded that his role with the PGA Tour board has complicated his talks with the PGA of America regarding the possibility of him captaining the U.S. Team at the Ryder Cup next year at Bethpage Black.

“We’re still talking. There’s nothing that has been confirmed yet,” he said. “We’re still working on what that might look like. Also whether or not I have the time to do it. I’m dedicating my so much time to what we’re doing with the PGA Tour, I don’t want to not fulfill the role of the captaincy if I can’t do it.

“What that all entails and representing Team USA and the commitments to the PGA of America, the players, and the fans and as I said, all of Team USA. I need to feel that I can give the amount of time that it deserves.” 

There have been rumblings that Woods’ addition to the Policy Board gave the player directors a majority and too much sway in the negotiating process instead of allowing the professional of the Strategic Sports Group who invested up to $3 billion in PGA Tour Enterprises to take the helm.

“The PGA Tour is for the players and by the players. So, we have an influence and there’s roles for the player directors and there’s roles for the independents,” he said. 

“We’re trying to make the PGA Tour the best it can be day-in and day-out. That’s one of the reasons why we have arguments and we have disagreements, but we want to do what's best for everyone in golf and the tour. Without those kind of conflicts I don't think there’s going to be that much … the progress is not going to be there. So it’s been good.” 

Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the fifth hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship. Picture: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Jordan Spieth, another player director on the board, pushed back on the narrative that the players are driving the bus.

“You need to have everyone’s perspective on both sides of it, and everyone that’s involved within Enterprises,” Spieth said. “You have a lot of strategic investors that know a heck of a lot more than any of us players. So that’s a false narrative that the players are determining all these things.” 

Woods acknowledged that the drawn out battle with LIV Golf is wearing thin on fans.

“I think the fans are probably as tired as we are of the talk of not being about the game of golf and about not being about the players,” he said. 

“It’s about what LIV is doing, what we’re doing, players coming back, players leaving. The fans just want to see us play together. How do we get there is to be determined.” 

As for his golf game, the 48-year-old Woods displayed realism in the wake of his making the cut at the Masters before finishing last after the worst scoring weekend of his career.

“My body’s okay; it is what it is,” he said. “I wish my game was a little bit sharper. Again, I don’t have a lot of competitive reps, so I am having to rely on my practice sessions and getting stuff done either at home or here on-site.

“I still feel that I can win golf tournaments. I still feel I can hit the shots and still feel like I still have my hand around the greens and I can putt. I just need to do it for all four days, not like I did at Augusta for only two.”