There have been some changes to the PGA Tour Policy Board, with Tiger Woods adding the Player Directors involved…
Tiger Woods has joined the PGA Tour Policy Board as a player director.
The PGA Tour has announced a new agreement to make sure that the tour maintains it’s player-driven focus.
“For the player, by the players” is the mission.
And 15-time major champion Woods has agreed to join the policy board as part of the new governance measures in the agreement.
Woods becomes the sixth player director on the policy board – joining Patrick Cantlay, Charlie Hoffman, Peter Malnati, Rory McIlroy and Webb Simpson.
“I am honoured to represent the players of the PGA Tour,” Woods stated. “This is a critical point for 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.
“The players thank Commissioner [Jay] 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. He has my confidence moving forward with these changes.”
The Board also includes five independent directors, including Jimmy Dunne and a soon-to-be-announced replacement for Randall Stephenson. The PGA of America Director, John Lindert, is the final member of the policy board.
A PGA Tour statement said Monahan had agreed to support the players and their requests, with player leaders joining together to “uphold the Tour’s core principles”.
“Tiger’s voice and leadership throughout his career have contributed immeasurably to the success of the PGA Tour, and to apply both to our governance and go-forward plan at this crucial time is even more welcomed and impactful,” Monahan said.
“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, 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.”
That statement said no major decision can be made in the future without the approval of the player directors. This follows the surprising merger announcement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).
It added that player directors will be given full transparency, and will also have the authority to approve or decline any changes to the Tour as part of those framework agreement discussions.
Reacting to the news in his Wyndham Championship press conference, Justin Thomas said: “Yeah, I’m obviously excited to have Tiger on behalf of the players. I mean, I know that he takes it very seriously.
“Obviously his relationship with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and what they did to basically create the PGA Tour, kind of what it is now.
“He takes the future of the PGA Tour very seriously and he wants it to be in the best hands possible and it to be in the best position possible.”
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