Tiger Woods key to Australia’s hopes of hosting PGA Tour event
Tiger Woods is set to have a big say in the future of Australian golf after being added to the PGA Tour policy board at a pivotal time for golf in this country.
Tiger Woods is set to have a significant say in the future of the Australian golf after joining the PGA Tour policy board – the body that will determine the fate of LIV defectors and decide whether a PGA Tour tournament is brought to these shores.
Woods was already the most powerful voice in the sport but he is now set to wield more influence as he sits on the board that will determine if and when the likes of Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman are welcome back on the PGA Tour, as well as any sanctions they may face for their decision to join LIV Golf.
Woods was added to the PGA Tour policy board on Wednesday morning (AEDT). His appointment was a direct result of player discontent over the clandestine way talks were conducted between the PGA Tour and Saudi’s Public Investment fund, which resulted in a peace deal to end golf’s civil war.
He joins the board at a pivotal time for golf in Australia. The PGA Tour of Australasia and Golf Australia have waged a long campaign to secure a PGA Tour event, which is yet to bear fruit.
There is genuine hope that when the details of the PGA Tour-PIF merger are finalised, Australia won’t be forgotten. Woods is set to have a potentially decisive say, as he will in whether Smith and Leishman have a future on the PGA Tour.
A statement from the PGA Tour made it clear that player directors – Rory McIlroy is also on the board – have the authority to decline or approve changes to the tour as part of the merger talks.
Notably, Woods and McIlroy led the war against LIV Golf and its commissioner Greg Norman. Their presence as board members is not a good sign for LIV’s future, nor that of Norman.
PGA Tour of Australasia chief executive Gavin Kirkman was recently in England where he held talks with PGA Tour powerbrokers over Australia’s place in the sport. He emerged from those discussions optimistic that the sport’s long bid for a PGA Tour - or global tour - event will come to fruition.
“What they’re saying at all levels … is when they get it done, it is going to be good for the international tours,” Kirkman said.
“We’re putting out hand up that we want further support …. as far as international events getting down here on a more regular basis. We want international players coming down here that don’t break the bank with appearance fees.
“I think their focus over the next couple of months will be getting their players on side and working out the LIV stuff. I don’t think we are going to see any change until 2025.”
The roaring success of the LIV Golf event in Adelaide highlighted the thirst for high-class golf in Australia.
“From a global tour aspect and if they want to be a global tour, they have to start taking events outside the US and bringing them into South-East Asia and Australasia,” Kirkman said.
“We have proven our capabilities and the qualities of our golf courses are second-to-none. The challenge we have got is the economy to pay these fees to bring players down.
“LIV had no budget – they could do whatever they wanted. If we can get them (the PGA Tour) to support bringing the players down and some global partnerships, I think the players will come down.
“I think where we are sitting now we have a much better chance.”
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