Tiger Woods was asked about everything from his health to the future of professional golf Tuesday at his 2023 Hero World Challenge press conference, his first return to competition since withdrawing from the Masters earlier this spring.
The 15-time major champion dished on the shocking framework agreement between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and said he was surprised at the June 6 announcement.
“I would say that my reaction was surprised, just like I’m sure a lot of the players were taken aback by what had happened and so quickly and without any input or any kind of information about it, and it was just thrown out there,” said Woods. “(Players) were very frustrated with what happened and we took steps going forward to ensure player involvement … we were not going to be left out of process like we were.”
Woods has since joined the PGA Tour Policy Board and said he’s pleased with the direction of the Tour and how the process has evolved. Despite the progress, it’s not all rosy behind the scenes. The 47-year-old detailed why he’s “frustrated in some of the slowness in the governance change that we want to have happen” seeing as the Dec. 31 deadline for a deal to be reached with the PIF is quickly approaching. That said, the PIF isn’t the only option for the Tour.
“I think all the parties are talking and we’re aggressively working on trying to get a deal done … We have multiple options. But still, we would we’d like to have a deal done December 31,” added Woods. “And that’s what the agreement said and all parties understand that. But there are other options out there.”
Woods said he was confident a deal would be done in some way, whether that be by the Dec. 31 deadline or beyond. He continuously went out of his way to point out there are multiple options for the Tour and the board is working to find the best deal for all parties involved.
Just 33 days remain before the end-of-year deadline. Tick-tock.
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