Woods flew to Wilmington on Tuesday afternoon for a private meeting of top players to discuss the threat of Saudi-sponsored LIV Golf, according to two people familiar with plans at the BMW Championship. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the meeting. A person invited to the meeting said he was going to tackle LIV Golf, along with taking more responsibility in the direction of the PGA Tour. That meeting led to a previously scheduled meeting of the Players Advisory Council that had been moved back about an hour to later Tuesday afternoon. Woods flew from his home in Florida with Rickie Fowler, who did not qualify for the second FedEx Cup playoff. The meeting took place away from the Wilmington Country Club at a hotel, according to another person familiar with the details. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan was not invited. “There’s a players’ meeting, but that’s all I can tell you about it,” Jon Rahm said. Monahan met informally with the players last week after a hearing in which a federal judge denied a request by three LIV Golf players seeking to play on the PGA Tour postseason. He also met with players a week after the US Open to outline plans for big increases in prize money on the PGA Tour, changes to qualifying and a new schedule that will return to the start of the season in January 2024. “I’m not sure what, if anything, will change, what the outcome will be,” Patrick Kandaley said. “I think it’s good that a lot of players are coming together to discuss the situation out here, especially given the current conditions.”
Norman, Woods never closes
Woods was a strong opponent of LIV Golf. Rival league leader Greg Norman confirmed in an interview with Fox News last month that Woods had been offered between US$700 million and US$800 million to take part. Norman said that was before he was hired to run LIV Golf. Norman and Woods have never been close, ever since Woods arrived on the PGA Tour and instantly became the biggest star golf had seen in generations. Woods was particularly vocal at the British Open last month when he said Norman was not invited to celebrations around the 150th Open, “Greg has done some things that I don’t think are in the best interest of our game.” He said he disagreed with players taking huge signing bonuses to quit LIV Golf, saying they turned their backs on the tour that made them famous. The PGA Tour has responded to the depth of Saudi funding with a $50 million bonus pool called the Player Impact Program that pays top 10 players based on the attention they attract. Some players, like Cantlay, the defending FedEx Cup champion, don’t like the schedule. Also in the works are a series of overseas tournaments at the end of the year that will reward the top players. The tour has not announced details or a sponsor. LIV Golf has played three events offering $25 million each in prize money to a group of players that includes Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau. She continues her eight-tournament schedule after the FedEx Cup ends next week.
