It seems Tiger Woods was present at the recent merger talks. Yes, you read that right! The 48-year-old golfer was not part of the PGA Tour-PIF meeting that took place in New York City, according to reports, despite being a player director on the circuit’s Policy Board. However, there’s a catch—Woods was also in the city ahead of the gathering but for an entirely different reason.
A tweet shared by TWLEGION on their X handle revealed Tiger Woods’ activities, as reported by Bob Harig, a journalist from Sports Illustrated. It mentioned that the 15-time major champion was in New York for the Nexus Cup, held from September 9 to 10 at the Liberty National Golf Club. However, the golfer has reportedly left town following the event’s conclusion.
🚨#UPDATE: Tiger not a part of today’s PGA TOUR – PlF meetings in NYC, per @BobHarig. Woods was in NY for the Nexus Cup but has since left town.
— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) September 11, 2024
Tiger Woods was earlier spotted with his friend and fellow PGA Tour Pro Rickie Fowler at the exclusive amateur event. The 35-year-old was seen with the 15-time major champion while taking some swings at the Nexus Cup clinic ahead of the competition. Both athletes are currently taking some time off from their professional careers, with the 6-time PGA Tour champion doing so after welcoming his second daughter, Nellie.
Coming back to the PGA Tour-PIF meeting, which reportedly took place without Tiger Woods, it was noted that officials were scheduled to gather on Tuesday for a meeting that would apparently last multiple days. Jay Monahan’s circuit was expected to have Joe Gorder, the PGA Tour Enterprises chairman, and John W. Henry, owner of the Fenway Sports Group, negotiating with the Saudis during the discussions.
This aligns with what the Tour’s commissioner said at the TOUR Championship, where he declined to reveal any details surrounding the ongoing talks when asked about the negotiations between the two bodies.
Jay Monahan shines a light on the current situation of the talks
“I’m not going to disclose details,” said the commissioner as he alluded to the conversations that the PGA Tour was having with the PIF, “I’m not going to negotiate details in public or disclose details or specifics. All I can say is that conversations continue, and they’re productive.” Even so, he made sure to point out that there is no set deadline for the merger while hinting at the complexity of it all. “These conversations are complex, they’re going to take time,” he added. “They have taken time and they will continue to take time.”
Fast forward almost a month, and the two entities have re-engaged in discussions, albeit without the player director, Tiger Woods. Although his presence at the Nexus Cup, an event he hosts, couldn’t be ignored, merger talks without the 82-time PGA Tour champion do paint a bleak picture for the already delayed framework agreement!
