Is Tiger Woods trying to create an elite tour within the PGA tour?
Tiger Woods was set to lead discussions with fellow PGA Tour players over the increasing threat of LIV Golf.
Tiger Woods met with a small group of leading golfers earlier this week amid the ongoing threat posed by LIV Golf to the long-established PGA Tour.
Woods is not competing in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, but the 15-time major champion elected to come to Delaware to meet fellow professionals involved in the BMW Championship.
The 46-year-old is reportedly trying to garner support among PGA Tour counterparts over the battle with the breakaway series for players’ allegiances. Woods has made his feelings over the Saudi-backed LIV Golf clear, and reportedly turned down a high nine-figure fortune to join, but Open champion Cameron Smith looks to be the next big name to defect. “I disagree with it [the players’ decision to join LIV Golf],” Woods said ahead of The Open. “I think that what they’ve done is they’ve turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was set to be available at the BMW Championship to talk informally to any players who have any questions to raise, as has been the case for several months. It is understood up to two dozen players have sought out Monahan for chats at certain events, but there have been no emergency talks.
Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau are among the high profile players who have joined LIV Golf.
PGA to give-up non profit status?
The PGA Tour is reported to be considering giving up its non-profit status in move to battle LIV The PGA Tour might consider giving up its non-profit status to put itself in a better financial position to battle the big-money Saudi-backed LIV Invitational Series, a move supported by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, said a report in the Fire Pit Collective. The subject was one of the main talking points at a meeting of the PGA Tour’s top players called and hosted by Woods last Tuesday to discuss the LIV threat and a plan of action.
Part of the that plan was having the PGA Tour renounce its non-profit status which would result in the Tour paying taxes but giving it much more freedom in how it conducts business, including bringing in private investors and equity firms. According to the Fire Pit Collective both Woods and McIlroy expressed their support for such a move.
At the meeting held in Delaware, where the Wilmington Country Club is hosting the BMW Championship, the players also discussed plans for an 18 tournament series that would feature 60 of the top players playing for $20 million purses. The PGA Tour has already beefed up purses at many events in response to the LIV Series which is offering $25 million purses. The plan, according to the Fire Pit Collective, would be a no cut format similar to LIV. A response to the LIV threat comes with reports the renegade series is about to announce seven new player signings immediately after the FedEx Cup playoffs conclude with the Tour Championship next week in Atlanta. Australian Cameron Smith as been rumoured to be the biggest name ready to make the jump.