Golf legend Tiger Woods has joined the PGA Tour Policy Board as a player director as the US golf tour looks to give golfers a bigger say in major decisions and quell the anger caused by its proposed merger with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the DP World Tour.
The move is part of new governance and transparency measures announced by the PGA Tour and will see Woods join Patrick Cantaly, Charley Hoffman, Peter Malnati, Rory McIlroy, and Webb Simpson on the board.
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The addition of Woods means the six players outnumber the five independent board members, giving them a bigger voice in future decisions.
The tour said the players, including Woods, will work with Monahan to amend the policy board’s governing documents to make it clear that no major decision can be made without the involvement and approval of the player directors.
The player directors’ special advisor, Colin Neville, will also be kept informed of negotiations regarding the framework agreement with PIF and provide any information he requests to carry out his duties on behalf of the players.
Woods said: “I am honored to represent the players of the PGA Tour. This is a critical point of the tour, and the players will do their best to make certain that any changes that are made in tour operations are in the best interest of all tour stakeholders, including fans, sponsors, and players.
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By GlobalData“The players thank commissioner Monahan for agreeing to address our concerns, and we look forward to being at the table with him to make the right decisions for the future of the game that we all love.”
Wood’s appointment comes two months after players were left blindsided by the shock announcement that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour had agreed to merge their commercial operations under a new entity in which the Saudi fund will be the primary investor.
The merger ended a bitter war between the traditional tours and PIF-backed breakaway circuit LIV Golf but is currently being investigated by US regulators.
Amid the fallout, players called for Monahan to resign due to the lack of transparency around the deal and the perceived betrayal by the tour of players who had remained loyal to it. Last month, Olympic champion Xander Schauffele admitted that he and other players had lost trust in Monahan.
Specifically, board members like McIlroy were not told about the negotiations, which were handled by Monahan and two independent board members, James Dunne and Edward Herlihy. Other board members were told shortly before the deal was announced, while the rest of the tour’s players found out about it at the same time as the public.
Monahan added: “I am committed to taking the necessary steps to restore any lost trust or confidence that occurred as a result of the surprise announcement of our framework agreement.
“My job in the negotiations – in partnership with our player directors, PAC (Player Advisory Council), and the broader membership – is to advocate for what is best for the PGA Tour members today and in the future.
“Any agreement we reach must be shaped by our members' input and approval earned through our player directors.”
The tour listed 41 players it said had expressed support for the new changes, including McIlroy, Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Shane Lowry, and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Image: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
