Tiger Woods has insisted that negotiations over a potential PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund merger have “a long way to go still” in an update on discussions. Jimmy Dunne, the architect of the merger’s initial agreement, resigned from the PGA Tour board and bemoaned a lack of progress as Woods echoed his complaint.
Dunne cited “no meaningful progress” being made towards a final agreement as the reason behind his exit, casting doubt on whether the two parties will be able to get on the same page.
As many as 11 months have passed since the announcement of a framework agreement was made, paving the way for players from the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and DP World Tour to compete against one another once again following golf’s civil war breaking out.
Numerous deadlines have been missed and Woods, who has declared his loyalty to the PGA Tour, has been involved in discussions in his role as a player director. But ahead of the PGA Championship, the 48-year-old cautioned that off-court politics are likely to continue with no end date in sight.
“We’re working on negotiations with PIF,” Woods said. “It’s ongoing. It’s fluid, it changes day to day. Has there been progress? Yes … We’re making steps. It may not be giant steps, but we’re making steps. I’m not going to comment on negotiations, but we’re making steps.”
When put to him that fans are growing frustrated, with golf currently in limbo until some headway is made, Woods admitted that he and the players share that sentiment but he was unable to provide a more positive outlook.
“I think the fans are probably as tired as we are of the talk of not being about the game of golf and about not being about the players,” Woods added. “It’s about what LIV is doing, what we’re doing, players coming back, players leaving, the fans just want to see us play together. How do we get there is to be determined. We made some progress, yes, for sure. But there’s a long way to go still.”
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan credited Dunne for sealing the framework agreement deal with PIF, but the Seminole Golf Club president explained that he felt that his role was “utterly superfluous” in a resignation letter.
Woods disagreed with Dunne’s assessment of his place in the merger talks, admitting that he was surprised to hear of the resignation. “Jimmy and the amount of work and dedication that he put into the board and to the PGA Tour, it’s been incredible.
“It was a bit surprising that he resigned yesterday and just how it all came about, but, no, his role and his help, then what he’s been able to do for the PGA Tour has been great.”
