Tiger Woods agrees with Rory McIlroy that there is light at the end of the tunnel in PGA and LIV Golf negotiations following a meeting with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
An initial ‘framework agreement’ between the PIF – which bankrolls the breakaway LIV Golf league – the PGA Tour and DP World Tour was announced on June 6 last year and had a deadline of December 31, but that was subsequently extended.
During February, the US-based PGA Tour circuit secured an investment deal with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), which would see their players benefit from equity of more than A$2.12 billion and also allow for a future “co-investment” from the PIF.
“We’re closer to that point than we were pre-meeting. We discussed a lot of different endings and how we get there,” Woods said of the meeting in New York that included PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
“Both sides walked away from the meeting; we all felt very positive at the end of the meeting. Both sides are looking for different ways to get to the end game. Yes, there are going to be differences of opinion but we all have the same goal in mind.”
Woods is back at Pinehurst No 2 for this weekend’s US Open for the first time since winning on the course in 2005, prior to a major redesign. Woods, preparing for his 23rd US Open start, also won on the course in 1999.
The biggest difference in the Pinehurst No. 2 course now is the change to Bermuda grass, which Woods said will make shot selection options “more plentiful.”
To that end, Woods has focused since the PGA Championship last month on working on his fitness but also on chipping and putting.
“Nothing can prepare for the amount of shots you really can’t simulate on the golf course this week,” said Woods, who played at Pinehurst No. 2 last week to get a feel for the course in varied conditions.
“It’s going to feel like home. Hot and humid is what we deal with in Florida every single day. The mental tax the heat is going to bring is going impact all of us.”
Charlie Woods, Tiger’s son, has been alongside him this week. Tiger Woods said his presence makes the tournament more special regardless of how the game goes.
He said: “It’s great for us to be able to share these moments together. I trust him with my swing – he’s seen it more than anyone else in the world. I tell him what to look for, especially with the putting. I get so entrenched with hitting certain (shots). We have a great rapport and a great relationship like that.”
Meanwhile former champion Jon Rahm admits he is unsure if he will be able to compete due to injury.
Rahm withdrew from the LIV Golf League event in Houston during Saturday’s second round because of an infection in his left foot and arrived for his pre-tournament press conference at Pinehurst wearing one shoe and one flip-flop.
“It’s a concern,” the 2021 winner said. “It’s doing better. But definitely still in pain. As to right now (playing) this week, I don’t know.”
