Mickelson's view on Tiger Woods' PGA Tour board role ahead of LIV Golf merger
Phil Mickelson has hailed the PGA Tour's decision to appoint his long-time rival Tiger Woods as a player director to the circuit's Policy Board.
The appointment was confirmed by the PGA Tour on Tuesday, as Woods becomes the sixth player director to take a seat on the Policy Board alongside Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Peter Malnati, and Webb Simpson. The move comes as Tour commissioner Jay Monahan looks to regain the trust of his playing members.
Following the PGA Tour's shock agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) in June, Monahan received a whole host of criticism from players who felt they had been left in the dark.
As well as confirming Woods' appointment, the Tour also revealed on Wednesday that any 'major decision' can no longer be made without the 'prior involvement and approval of the Player Directors'. Woods himself was excited to take on the role, commenting: "I am honoured to represent the players of the PGA Tour.
"This is a critical point for the Tour, and the players will do their best to make certain that any changes that are made in Tour operations are in the best interest of all Tour stakeholders, including fans, sponsors and players." The framework agreement with PIF will see the PGA Tour work alongside now former rivals LIV Golf, as well as the DP World Tour.
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One man who has found himself at the centre of the saga between the American-based circuit and LIV is Mickelson, after he became the sport's biggest name to make the Saudi switch last summer. Whilst the six-time major winner has been critical of the Tour over the past year, he was pleased to see the appointment of Woods.
Taking to Twitter he wrote: "This is great to see. Players having equal representation on the board, Tiger getting more involved, and accountability across the board. Awesome news." The tweet came just days after Mickelson had hit out at the PGA Tour's plan to 'discipline' LIV players who planned on returning following the proposed merger.
In a memo last week, commissioner Monahan confirmed a 'Player Discipline' plan would be put in place to decide how best to allow LIV stars to reapply for PGA Tour membership. Mickelson though branded the plan a 'colossal waste of time', adding that not one rebel player wants to make a return to the Tour.
"What a colossal waste of time," he tweeted. "Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV."
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