Tiger Woods and LIV Golf chief hold private meeting to discuss PGA Tour merger

Rory McIlroy got his wish after insisting that Tiger Woods must be involved in talks with Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Woods will speak with Al-Rumayyan about a possible merger between the PGA Tour and the PIF while playing golf in the Bahamas on Monday. Since high-profile golfers began to leave the PGA Tour for the breakaway LIV Golf League in the summer of 2022, there have been doubts over the direction golf will be heading in the future. In an attempt to stop more golfers joining LIV, European players were stopped from competing in the Ryder Cup if they joined the Saudi-backed league.

Golfers competing in LIV are also unable to earn OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) points, which is crucial for those looking to play at the four major competitions each year. But with golfers still opting to leave for LIV, PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan conceded defeat after stating that striking a deal with the Saudi PIF is “the best outcome” for the sport. Talks were underway last year, with a deadline set for the end of 2023. The deadline passed with no agreement reached, and to make matters worse Masters champion Jon Rahm then signed for LIV Golf on a record contract.

McIlroy, who’s been very anti-LIV since the start then softened his stance on the new league after seeing Rahm sign his reported £450million contract. Rahm initially spoke out against LIV, but then backtracked as he received the statement offer from the PIF. The PGA Tour is now focused on ending golf’s civil war as soon as possible, with McIlroy backing swift talks at The Players Championship. Speaking after his final round at Sawgrass, McIlroy said: “I think it should have happened months ago, so I am glad that it’s happening. Hopefully that progresses conversations and gets us closer to a solution.

“I have spent time with Yasir. The people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, (LIV boss Greg) Norman and those guys. fundamentally he wants to do the right thing. “Look, they’re a sovereign wealth fund. They want to park money for decades and not worry about it. They want to invest in smart and secure businesses, and the PGA TOUR is definitely one of those, especially if they’re looking to invest in sport in some way.”

McIlroy then declared that it made sense for Woods to be involved as a PGA Tour board member, and also as an instrumental figure in the sport. “He’s a player director. He’s on the board, so absolutely he needs to be involved,” McIlroy added.