Tiger Woods says golfing landscape still looks murky

Tiger Woods has opened up on golf’s future, including how LIV players might find their way back to the PGA Tour.

Tiger Woods says golf’s future still looks ‘murky’. Picture: Scott Halleran / Getty Images North America / AFP

Tiger Woods has opened up on the “sleepless hours” thinking about a possible path back to the PGA Tour for LIV players, including Australian star Cameron Smith, as he concedes golf’s future still looks “murky”.

The 15-time major champion, who is returning to action for the first time since the Masters in April at his Hero World Challenge event in Bermuda, also said he was frustrated at the “slowness” of negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment fund as the December 31 deadline for a deal looms.

Looking to make a “lasting impact” on the game beyond his playing deeds, Woods was elevated to the PGA Tour policy board in the wake of revelations the PGA Tour was looking to take billions in investment from the PIF, which funds LIV Golf.

He said he was confident the framework agreement, which could determine the future of LIV, with PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan to have the final say on its long-term existence, would get done, even if the December deadline was “pushed back”.

But Woods conceded he didn’t know how the landscape would look in the future, with team golf, one of LIV’s trump cards, part of the discussion.

“I would say that the answer is murky,” Woods said.

“I would have to say there’s a lot of moving parts on how we’re going to play – whether it’s here on the PGA Tour or it’s merging or team golf.

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“There’s a lot of different aspects that are being thrown out there all at once, and we are trying to figure all that out and what is the best solution for all parties and best solution for all the players that are involved.”

Woods said that solution could yet include a path back for LIV players like Smith, but that was a delicate part of negotiations.

“We’re still working on that. That’s part of the deal we’re working through is trying to find a path, whatever that looks like,” he said.

“There’s so many different scenarios. That’s why I said there’s a lot of sleepless hours trying to figure that out, a lot of participation from the players and what does that look like.

“What is the best solution for all parties and best solution for all the players that are involved.”

Woods said his game felt “rusty” after more surgeries on his ankle that was badly damaged in a car accident in February 2021. He said he would know more about his playing future after the event, where Australian star Jason Day is playing, having opted to end his year there rather than at his national open in Sydney.

Jason Day has joined Tiger Woods in Bermuda. Picture: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

That could also impact his playing plans for 2024, although he’s hoping he could get through one tournament a month.

“I think that’s realistic,” he said, eyeing a tour return at his Genesis Invitational in March.

“We have set up right now the biggest events are one per month. It sets itself up for that. Now, I need to get myself ready for all that.

“I think this week is a big step in that direction.”