Tiger Woods said he believes the professional game will “heal very quickly” if and when the PGA Tour can come to an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund as negotiations between the two entities continue.
Visiting CBS’s 18th-hole tower at Torrey Pines on Sunday during the Genesis Invitational that he hosts, Woods was asked questions by anchor Jim Nantz about a number of topics, including the impact of his late mother, the status of the tour-PIF negotiations and when we might see Woods compete again.
After the Genesis had to be moved away from Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles to Torrey Pines South because of the wildfires in the Pacific Palisades, where Riviera CC is located, Woods entered the field for the event, only to withdraw last Monday, saying he needed further time to process the death of his mother, Kultida Woods. Tiger made his first appearance at Torrey Pines on Sunday, walking around at the driving range to exchange hugs and chat with numerous players.
Tony Finau and Tiger Woods embrace on the Sunday of the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines. Michael Owens
Nearly two weeks ago, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Players Advisory Council chairman, Australia’s Adam Scott, went to the White House to meet with President Donald Trump and encourage him to support them in trying to get a deal done with PIF. One of the biggest concerns about securing what’s been called a “reunification” is getting the approval of the US Department of Justice, and Trump has indicated he could be of assistance in that area.
This week at Torrey Pines, Monahan and Scott each portrayed the meeting with Trump as a positive step. Woods said on Sunday he was not part of the meeting because of a previous scheduling commitment, but is pleased with what transpired.
“Jay and Adam did great during the meeting. And we have another subsequent meeting coming up,” Woods said. “So I think that things are going to heal quickly. We’re going to get this game going in the right direction. We’ve been heading in the wrong direction for a number of years. The fans want all of us, all the top players playing together. And we’re going to make it happen.”
In the booth, Woods, 49, spoke with admiration for his mother, who was honoured on Sunday with pins worn by the players.
“It’s been a rough process to go through,” Woods said before noting the support he’s received from his fellow players. “The amount of texts and emails and voice messages of support I got, it’s really meant a lot to me,” he said.
“My mum was my rock,” Woods said. “When my dad worked at McDonnell Douglas at the time, mom would take me to every junior event here in Southern California, whether it was a nine-hole event in Riverside or San Bernardino. She would be out there walking and keeping score on every hole. All those days led to the point where I am.
“Losing her,” he added, “has been very hard.”
Predictably, Woods gave no indication of when he might return to competition. The tour moves on to Mexico next week and then Florida. The next signature event is the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, March 6-9, followed the next week by the Players Championship.
Woods figured to fly home to Florida on Sunday because he’s set to make his next playing appearance on Monday night in TGL, his simulator league.
