Last month, the golf world was in for a huge shock, with the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and LIV Golf announcing their plan to quash all existing conflicts and merge for the creation of a brand-new entity. Later, amidst great chaos surrounding the controversial deal, a framework agreement formulated by the golfing circuits started making the rounds.
Over the past few weeks, many players and key figures have given their two cents about the near $3,000,000,000 merger. However, Tiger Woods has mostly remained silent, only chiming in last week to deliver a cryptic message. So, why has the player not addressed the PGAT-LIV deal yet? One major-winning LIV pro seems to have an idea. Let’s jump in to find out more!
LIV pro reflects on Tiger Woods’ eerie silence
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After weeks of little to no updates, the golf community finally received some information about how the new merger between rival golfing tours will play out, thanks to a leaked framework agreement. Per the document, the three groups (PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf) will set up a for-profit Limited Liability Company (LLC), specified in the agreement as “NewCo.”
It further said that “commercial/business rights” will be furnished by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. Meanwhile, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) will contribute “their golf-related investments and assets, including LIV, to NewCo along with a cash investment, in exchange for the issuance to PIF of an equity ownership interest in NewCo to a fair value mutually agreed by the parties.”
The agreement also included other crucial details pertaining to the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and the possible future of LIV. But, despite these developments, it is Tiger Woods’ deafening silence that has the golf world feeling frustrated. After all, the golfing legend has been arguably the greatest defender of the PGA Tour in its feud with LIV. He had even turned down a deal worth between $700 and $800 million from the PIF-funded league last year!
On Friday, reigning British Open winner Cam Smith added to the speculation surrounding Woods’ silence with a rather tactful statement. “I think if he had something to say, he’d say it for sure. I don’t think he’s holding anything back,” he said following the first round of LIV Golf London. “Just probably like all of us, just waiting for a few more answers.”
Last Sunday, the 15-time major winner appeared to break his silence somewhat as he took to Twitter to slam new leaks concerning him. The golfer addressed the claims that he was reportedly set to deliver a preconceived expletives-laden speech against LIV during a players’ meeting last year. Woods denied the same, saying that he had never received any scripted speech and did not participate in any meeting either!
Crucial details from the framework agreement concerning the PGAT-LIV merger
The leaked framework agreement is a six-page document executed on May 30, 2023. It bore the signatures of PGAT commissioner Jay Monahan, DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. One detail that caught people’s attention is that the PGA Tour will be “the competition manager” for the new entity. This means that Greg Norman’s LIV league may ultimately cease to exist down the road.
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The agreement also addressed the OWGR system, which does not reward any points for LIV Golf events. It stated that the involved parties will work together to ensure OWGR recognizes the Saudi-backed faction and its players.
For now, the three golf circuits will go ahead with their 2023 season as planned. The agreement also talked about the establishment of a committee to facilitate communications between all the parties.
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Do you agree with Cam Smith’s response? Do you believe that Tiger Woods will eventually speak out regarding the PGAT-LIV merger? Tell us in the comments!