Tiger Woods may not be playing in the 2022 Hero World Challenge, but that doesn’t mean he is still not at the center of attention. In his first press conference in more than four months on Tuesday, Woods put on his commissioner’s hat. While not officially in the position, the 15-time major champion was peppered with inquiries surrounding potential peace talks between the PGA Tour and rival league LIV Golf, and what exactly needs to happen for those discussions to take place.
“I see that there’s an opportunity out there if both organizations put a stay on their litigation, but that’s the problem, they’ve got to put a stay on it. And whether or not they do that or not, there’s no willingness to negotiate if you have a litigation against you,” said Woods. “So if they both have a stay and then have a break and then they can meet and figure something out, then maybe there is something to be had.
“But I think Greg [Norman] has to go, first of all, and then obviously litigation against us and then our countersuit against them, those would then have to be at a stay as well. So then we can talk, we can all talk freely.”
The terms for compromise are clear in the eyes of Woods. Drop the lawsuits and drop Norman, and only then can the two golf leagues be able to join each other at the table for a conversation. The 46-year-old’s words echoed those of his good friend and business partner Rory McIlroy, who shared similar thoughts ahead of the 2022 DP World Tour Championship.
“It has to start with leadership on their side,” said Woods. “Understanding that what is happening right now is not in the best … it’s not in the best fit or future for the whole game of golf. Now, what is the best way for our game to grow? It’s not this way. But, granted, you need to have the two bodies come together. If one side has so much animosity, someone trying to destroy our tour, then how do you work with that?”
LIV…
Source : cbssports
