The PGA Tour is in Delaware for the first time and all talk revolves around Tiger Woods, even though he doesn’t have his poles and may not make a public appearance.
According to two people with knowledge of the situation, Woods was due to travel to the Wilmington Country Club on Tuesday for a meeting among the world’s top players about the threat the Saudi-backed LIV circuit poses to the future of the club. PGA.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity since the meeting was private. An invitee said the meeting was to ensure golfers were on the same page against the LIV Tour and to take a little more control over the PGA plans.
The encounter forced the postponement of a players’ council meeting for about an hour on Tuesday afternoon.
“There is a meeting between the players, but that’s all I’m going to tell you,” said Jon Rahm.
It is unclear whether PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan was to be involved or not. He met with the players informally last week following a federal judge’s decision to deny three LIV Tour players’ applications to play in the PGA Playoffs.
Monahan also met with the players a week after the U.S. Open to unveil a plan for the purses to go up next season. The qualification system would also be changed and the season would start again in January for the 2024 season, rather than during the fall.
Woods is one of the most opposed golfers to date on the LIV Tour. Tour leader Greg Norman confirmed in an interview last month that Woods turned down an offer of US$700-800 million to play. Norman added that this offer was presented before he was hired to lead the LIV circuit.
Woods argues that players who accept huge sums in signing bonuses to join the LIV circuit are turning their backs on the circuit that made them famous.
The LIV Tour has so far featured three tournaments each with a $25 million purse for players including Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau. He will continue his eight-tournament schedule after the conclusion of the FedEx Cup playoffs in the PGA next week.