In his extensive press conference prior to his return to competition, playing this week at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Tiger Woods has reviewed numerous current topics in the world of golf, beyond his physical condition and his desire to return to play at the highest level. The Californian has referred to the situation his sport is currently going through, the negotiations after the agreement last June or his role as a reference among the players. And curiously, he has also talked about Rafa Nadal and his upcoming return to the courts…
When did you decide to play again?
“Probably after caddying for Charlie and seeing that I was able to recover every day. I was still doing a lot of things, walking on the beach, hitting balls and trying to stay ready for Charlie’s event. Then I started to feel that I could probably do it. I spoke to the committee to see if there was a chance they would give me a spot”.
Your reaction to the June 6 announcement (agreement to negotiate between PGA Tour and LIV Golf)
“I would say my reaction was one of surprise as I’m sure many of the players were surprised by what happened. So quickly, without any information about it, it was simply announced and that’s it. I was very surprised that the process was what it was. We were very frustrated with what happened and took steps to ensure that we players were not going to be left out of the process as it happened. So part of that process was to join the Board and accept that position”.
Are you satisfied with the change in decision-making?
“I am satisfied with the process and how some things have evolved. Also frustrated in some of the slowness and the change of government that we want to happen. And December 31 is approaching very quickly, so some of these changes that we would like to apply in the calendar have not taken place. Everyone has spent many hours and worked tirelessly to ensure that we have the best deal for all the players involved, for the entire PGA Tour”.
An agreement before the deadline
“All parties are talking and we are working intensively to try to reach an agreement. We are also trying to ensure that the process is better. So the implementation of governance is one of the main issues as long as the deal is made, but making sure that it is done in the right way”.
Is there a plan B to the agreement?
“We have multiple options, but still, we would like to reach an agreement on December 31. That’s what the agreement said in the summer and all parties understand it. But there are other options”.
What changes should there be in governance?
“As long as a player has information and we are able to make faster decisions and the board recognizes it, I think that is one of the key things that everyone has focused on. We would like the process to be faster”.
What will the golf landscape look like in one or two years?
“I would say the answer is murky. I would have to say that there are a lot of parties in the discussion about how we are going to play. Whether it’s here on the PGA Tour or in the merger, or in team golf. There are a lot of different aspects that are being looked at all at once and we are trying to figure out what is the best solution for all parties and for all players involved”.
Who will you have as a caddy now?
“I have Rob this week, he has seen me hit some shots. As for next year, I still don’t know. I don’t think Charlie can caddy. He can’t skip school so often. I don’t know. Honestly, I really don’t know. I was looking forward to this week and see how things turned out. I’m curious to see how 72 holes look on the body and in my game… And then try to set a schedule for next year”.
Your role as a veteran in the game
“Don’t say senior, I haven’t reached that yet. I have a couple more years left. Honestly, I think that part of the transition is a natural progression that golfers have. When you’re 20, you’re young and impressionable and you ask questions.
Then, as you get older, you have your little career and towards the end you want to pass on all that knowledge to others. That’s how golf has grown. I haven’t discovered any of this. All of this is what I’ve asked players over the years and I’ve gained a lot by asking questions. I’ve had some of the greatest players of all time around me, unfortunately, many of them are not here, but just being able to learn from them, that’s what golf is all about”.
Do you like being on the Council and in those kinds of meetings?
“Well, I like the fact that I am able to have a different impact than just hitting a golf ball. I had an impact on the PGA Tour for several years hitting a golf ball and doing this I think I can have a lasting impact, doing what I’m doing, being on the Council and being part of the future of the PGA Tour”.
You took off in 1999, do you feel like it’s been 25 years?
“My body will tell you it’s a lot longer than 25 years. Looking back I think what people miss that year and something that I don’t miss. It was a good year. I know you saw the PGA at Medinah, it was a big step in the right direction for what I had just done in 97, redoing my golf swing, 98 wasn’t so good, taking steps in the right direction. Then just before the Byron Nelson in 99, things got better and I had a good run for a few years”.
Monahan’s work and team golf
“I think Jay has been part of the direction, he understands that what happened before cannot happen again and will not happen again, not with the players who are involved and not with the player directors having the role we have. Now, as for team golf, I think we can all benefit. The issue is how to do it. We are trying to figure out that process now. We have been, for months, trying to understand how it works, what the horizon looks like, where we play and what impact it has on our PGA Tour schedule. I think it’s something we’ve focused on and don’t take lightly”.
Is there a way back to the PGA Tour for LIV Golf players?
“As for the path, we are still working on it. It’s part of the agreement. We are working through trying to find a path, but there are many different scenarios. That’s why I said there are a lot of sleepless hours trying to figure it out, a lot of player involvement and what that looks like”.
What are the emotions that drove you to join the Board?
“I think the general emotion is what I answered before with Rex, we can’t allow that to happen again. How do we do it? By having six player directors, so we control the Board and control what we are going to do. We are not going to live what happened a few months ago without our participation again”.
Your opinion on PGA Enterprises, investors and return
“Everyone involved wants a return, that’s part of doing business, but we have to protect the integrity of our tour and what that means. Trying to resolve all of that in the last few months has been a very difficult task. But yes, there are a lot of different options, different parties that are trying to reach an agreement, whether it’s from all the different types of investment. But we have to protect what the Tour is for the players”.
The 2025 Ryder Cup and a possible captaincy
“Right now there’s too much at stake with our tour to think about a Ryder. We have to do this and focus on it right now”.
Cantlay’s cap in Rome
“Well, what happened there, it was media, it was just noise. Obviously, the fact that now everyone carries a mobile device made it spread. You’re not at home, so they try to get in your head and that’s what they tried to do. I totally understand it. They’re emotions. We all want to win. You have a local side and an opposite side, you’re going to get heat from people and that’s what happened”.
What is important about the PGA TOUR? What is the basis of what makes professional golf valuable?
“Well, I think that’s a great question, Dylan. What we have to do is make sure we have access to the game. I had access to the game. I had the ability to get on the Tour. We make sure of that, and we make sure to protect our schedule and take care of the players. Without the players, there is no Tour. How can we take better care of them, not just financially? Obviously, everyone wants to get paid, but how can we have the best competitive environment and competitive events week after week and what does that look like, and what does it look like for players to have the best possible experience? That players get involved in it and know what they have to give up to get it, and what investors are looking for to invest in our Tour.
Rafa Nadal, with whom you have a good relationship, will return in 2024. You did it before and are trying again. What is the process like for an athlete like Rafa or like you?
“Well, I think what Rafa has done is extraordinary. He won the Australian Open with a broken foot. The guy is more than tough and more than competitive. He knows that Father Time is here. All athletes face him. Although in some sports it happens faster than in others, and unfortunately as in all sports, you age. I don’t want him to leave. I never wanted to see Fed go, but that’s what happened. We should all enjoy watching him compete, watching him play and what he has meant for the game, what he has meant for all of us, watching the passion with which he plays and why he plays”.
How important is it that the PIF is involved?
“I think we are looking at all options and trying to figure out what is the best
deal for the players. As I said before, there are many aspects at stake”.
Do you have faith in Jay in what he can bring and what he can still do?
“That was part of the reason why I came to the Board is that I had faith in Jay and in what he could do in the future and in what cannot happen again”.
Do you trust that an agreement will be reached with someone or some entities before December 31?
“I trust that an agreement will be reached in some way. Whether it comes on December 31 or is delayed, all parties understand that we are working together. There are no demands. Everyone is understanding the situation and we are all moving forward. Everyone is working right now without animosity. We are trying to work to try to reach an agreement for the tour and for all parties involved”.
Was the frustration about leadership with Jay and Hurley and Jimmy Dunne, who forged this agreement without the input of the players, or were you frustrated by the fact that an agreement was reached?
“Well, I was frustrated by the fact that the players never participated. This is our tour and, as I was telling Rex earlier, we were all surprised. It happened so quickly without any of our participation. Nobody knew. That cannot happen again”.
