The last LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger meeting takes place before the end of this year, and a positive outcome would only embolden Tiger Woods as a player director
If a commercial agreement can be reached between the breakaway league and the tour before the end of this year, Tiger Woods will have a say in whether or not LIV Golf rebels compete in PGA Tour events.
In response to the unexpected announcement of the Framework Agreement earlier this summer, Woods, 47, was named as a player director on the tour’s policy board. At the time, the PGA Tour said the change made the organization more “player-driven.”
After he joined Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson, Charley Hoffman, Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, and Jordan Spieth, the number of player-directors on the board now exceeds that of independent directors. As part of the merger talks, those six have the power and access to approve any prospective changes.
Clauses permitting LIV players to participate in PGA Tour competitions may be included in such amendments. They have set a meeting for New Year’s Eve, but time is running out as they approach their self-imposed deadline.
That date has been described as a “firm target” for a merger to occur by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. Since then, Woods has reaffirmed that position. “As of right now, our deadline and time frame are December 31. That remains the same,” he stated last week.
“We are attempting to finalize agreements with every organization involved in this situation.” The PGA Tour is in discussions with Strategic Sports Group about possibly becoming a co-investor, he continued.
“SSG is now included in the mix,” Woods continued. “We are all moving in the right direction, and they clearly have a lot of equity and a lot of name investors that have the same alignment,” Woods continued.
Still, he had sounded less certain in late November that something would happen this year. “I’m happy to add the process, but I’m also frustrated by some of the governance changes’ tardiness.
“December 31 is rapidly approaching. There is a schedule there that we would like to use to put some of these unimplemented changes into effect. Each party is actively attempting to close a deal while conversing with the other. Our goal is to ensure that the procedure is improved. the application of governance.
“Completing the transaction, but completing it correctly. We would like to close a deal by December 31 and have several options. Everyone involved is aware of that. There are substitutes available.
“As long as the board acknowledges that a player has input and makes decisions more quickly. One of the main areas on which the player directors have concentrated is that. The board as a whole has accepted that.
It’s unclear how Woods would feel about LIV players competing in PGA Tour events in the New Year, should a deal be reached. On January 4, 2024, the Sentry Tournament of Champions—which Jon Rahm won the previous year—will take place.
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