The appointment of Tiger Woods marks the transfer of control to the PGA Tour players. Credit: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
The threat of an uprising by one of the top golfers on the PGA Tour has forced the American chain to bring Tiger Woods on to the policy board to help sort out the «mess» of a controversial merger with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.
By bringing Woods on board, Jay Monahan, the course commissioner, effectively handed over full control to the players.
In truth, Monahan had no choice after Sawgrass HQ received the letter on Monday from over 40 players, including Woods himself, expressing concern about the era-defining crossroads the elite men's game has found itself in since the shocking announcement in June.
The message was clear. Leave control of the vote to the professionals or risk rioting. However, that makes the chances of a LIV Golf deal even more uncertain.
Monahan, who only returned to work two weeks ago after being suspended due to an unnamed «medical condition,» has since has been criticized ever since for exposing a stunning alliance with a supposed enemy.
Tour members who remained loyal and gave up what in some cases amounted to hundreds of millions to join the breakaway league felt «betrayed» by the sudden turn after 18 months of bitter civil war.
On In one fiery Monahan meeting he was told he should retire, and at The Open Championships 10 days ago, Ernie Els wondered how the Bostonian «maybe still at his job is a mess.»
While negotiations are underway between the Tour and the State Investment Fund to try to reach an agreement by Dec. 31, Monahan is desperate to appease his rebellious players, and this latest move can be seen in the same light as his promise last week to reward those who refused. from LIV with «significant financial packages».
In an official announcement on Tuesday, the Tour announced that players will now have the final say in any PIF deal. Woods, who hasn't competed since undergoing surgery on his right leg after the Masters, hasn't spoken publicly about the agreement, but has previously been crystal clear about his opposition to LIV.
According to this announcement, Woods is being added to the Tour's policy board, meaning there will be six players in the 11-member group, as well as five independent directors. Rory McIlroy has already taken his positions at the table along with Patrick Cantley, Charlie Hoffman, Peter Malnati and Webb Simpson.
«I am honored to represent PGA Tour players,» Woods said in a statement. «This is a critical time for the Tour and players will do their best to ensure that any changes made to Tour operations are in the best interest of all Tour stakeholders, including fans, sponsors and players.
«Players thank Commissioner Monahan for making that he agreed to solve our problems and we look forward to meeting him at the same table to make the right decisions for the future of the game we all love. I'm sure he's moving forward with these changes.»
A Tour press release states that «player leaders have come together to uphold the fundamental principles of the Tour and ask for certain steps to be taken immediately.» Monaghan agreed to these requests, which include:
- Adjustment of the Policy Board's governing documents in which Player Directors should participate and approve future important decisions.
- Player Directors Special adviser Colin Neville, fully aware of the negotiations on the framework agreement and having full access to documents and information.
- The directors of the players, having full transparency and the authority to approve or reject any changes to the Tour as part of the discussion of the framework agreement.
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What the PIF and Gov. Yasi Al Rumayyan will make of this overhaul remains unclear. Al Rumayan assured LIV golfers that the league would continue despite a «framework agreement» that specified that Monaghan, as CEO of the new association, would have the right to end the 14-event streak.
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