Rory McIlroy hasn’t hidden his happiness at Tiger Woods joining the PGA Tour’s Policy Board.
The Northern Irishman described Woods’ appointment as “a great addition” as the tour moves towards a player-driven focus in the midst of its agreement with the Public Investment Fund.
McIlroy believes Woods’ presence could alleviate work on the shoulders of the five other player directors, with much of the four-time major winner’s time spent discussing LIV Golf in the last year.
“The player over the last 20 years that’s left the biggest legacy on the game,” McIlroy said at the FedEx St. Jude Championship,” for him to be involved in discussions around the future of professional golf and what that may look like I think is very important.
“Tiger has stepped up for all of us on tour, and I think he realises that the players that are on the policy board were trying to play regular golf, and at the same time try to navigate all these different things, as well.
“He’s maybe got a little more time on his hands than we do. For him to step up and take a little bit of the load off us is very much appreciated.
Will we see another Rory McIlroy PGA Tour victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship?
“He has a vote. Everything that goes through the tour has to be voted on and ratified, and he actually has a vote on what happens.”
Woods joins McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Peter Malnati, and Webb Simpson, and five other non-playing directors, at what he described as “a critical point” for the tour.
The PGA Tour’s membership wasn’t made aware of its framework agreement with the Saudi Arabia PIF until the day it was announced on June 6. McIlroy was told early that morning.
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A player meeting was held with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan at the first FedEx Cup Playoff event this week, the first since his return to CEO duties after a medical absence.
Golf Channel reported the discussion in Memphis was largely about the agreement with the PIF, but McIlroy and Woods weren’t present.
McIlroy became the first player to win three FedEx Cups in 2022, and he enters the Playoffs ranked third in the standings and in pursuit of a fourth season-long points victory.
How will a Rory McIlroy-Tiger Woods link-up affect the PGA Tour’s future? Tell us with a tweet!
