NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Tiger Woods is frustrated.
Countless hours were spent discussing June 6th among PGA Tour participants. Why did the circuit change course so dramatically? Why were the players, especially the top players, Tiger and Rory McIlroy in particular, blind? Why did the tour’s leaders accept the slightest change from their members? Did he blaze a trail without any input?
Woods has struggled with his game and body over the past decade after undergoing multiple surgeries (including the most recent surgery on his ankle in April) that limited him to eight starts over the past three seasons. I have been dissatisfied.But nothing seems to have shaken his fundamental beliefs more than June 6, the first day of his Tour. announced a framework agreement Cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Tuesday in Albany was the first time Woods spoke publicly about the momentous day.
Among the effects of the secret agreement was a major change in the tour’s decision-making process. As coups go, the change of power was civil, but make no mistake, it was a change that the Tigers and the rest of the public demanded.
“My reaction was surprising, and I think a lot of players were surprised, because it was something that was just thrown out there so quickly, without any input, without any input,” Woods said. “We were very surprised at what the process actually was. We are very frustrated with what happened and we hope that we will continue to We have taken action.”
For Tour enthusiasts, that process now includes Woods as player director on the policy committee. He has never served on the Policy Committee or the Player Advisory Council, and his addition increases membership representation to six, meaning that in the event of a split vote with the five independent directors, effectively has gained the upper hand. Current PGA of America directors also have seats on the board, but they don’t necessarily vote for any particular bloc.
For 40 minutes on Tuesday, Tiger was peppered with questions ranging from the tour’s ongoing negotiations with PIF to what the game will look like in two years’ time, but he almost always addressed a common theme: frustration and dissatisfaction. Came back. Governance.
“I was frustrated by the fact that the players were not involved at all,” he reiterated. “This was our tour and we were all taken back to it. It happened quickly, without us being involved. No one knew. Nothing like that would ever happen again. do not have.”
Rex and Love: Tiger sends a clear message
Rex Hoggard & Ryan Ravner shared their first impressions from Tiger Woods’ remarks at the press conference.
For nearly three decades, Woods has spent countless hours just answering questions without actually saying much. That’s not a criticism, just a byproduct of being the greatest player of his generation. But this was different. He had a message and he didn’t care whose toes he crushed to get it to the world.
He spent more than five months crafting his message, which he left no room for interpretation or nuance. The type of backroom deals that gave rise to the framework agreement will not be tolerated and that is why the circuit has taken the time since June 6 to dig deep into the circuit’s governance.
The golf world is understandably focused on negotiations with PIF and “dozens” of other potential investors, but Woods and other top players, according to a memo sent to players earlier this month. They say they are investigating how decisions are made through advertising. hoc committee including Davis Love III;
“I know the players, the top players, the board, guys like me sitting on the outside helping out, are all aligned and working with the management,” Love said at the RSM Classic two weeks ago. “I’m working on it,” he said.
it is working and Management rather than following management.
Woods is thinking about potential agreements with PIF or other private equity, including the looming Dec. 31 deadline. Most negotiating parties see the deadline as a moving target, arguing that it could be extended until next year if both sides believe they are making progress. But Woods seemed to be a little more conscious of the late hours.
“We have multiple options, but we still want to get a deal done on December 31st. That’s what we agreed to do in the summer, and all parties understand that.” Stated. “But there are other options.”
He was also asked about how the Tour and LIV Golf can coexist and what that means for players who joined the Tour for LIV’s wealth.
“As far as the passageway goes, [back to the Tour], we are still working on it. “That’s part of the agreement that we’re working on, and we’re trying to find a way, whatever that is,” he said. “There are so many different scenarios. That’s why I spent a lot of sleepless hours trying to figure it out, and there was a lot of participation from the players, and what it would look like. is.”
For anyone who doubts Tiger’s resolve on this matter, just consider how adamant and out of character he was when asked about the possibility. Becomes Ryder Cup captain for Bethpage Black for the first time in two yearseveryone would agree that it’s a magical blend of star power and pure New York fandom.
“There’s too much at stake on our tour at the moment to even think about the Ryder Cup,” he said flatly. “I have to get this [an agreement] Now that it’s done, I need to focus on this. The Ryder Cup, the players and everyone involved understand that this is an issue that we need to focus on. ”
But his main grievances were unchecked governance and backroom deals that could never happen again.
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