Tiger Woods hints at end to bitter PGA-LIV Golf feud after finishing at Masters – after his round with Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan: ‘We’re heading in the right direction’
Tiger Woods believes peace has moved closer in the war that has shaken golf to its core.
The five-time Masters champion played a round with LIV king Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas and, after completing a record-setting week in Augusta, revealed that an end to the explosive feud may be in sight.
Woods, seen as a key figure in finding a solution between the PGA and the Saud-backed breakaway tour, was asked how the March meeting, held at his residence, had gone.
“I don’t know if we’re any closer,” he said, “but we’re definitely moving in the right direction”.
All six tour player directors attended the summit, which was seen as a ‘meet and greet’ to explore future Saudi investment in the PGA Tour.
Woods waves his hat to the crowd as he walks to the 18th green on Sunday at Augusta
Woods said he played a round with LIV king Yasir Al-Rumayyan (pictured) in the Bahamas
“It was a very positive meeting,” added a sweaty Woods, “and I think both sides came away from the meeting feeling positive”.
Woods, 48, avoided the cut at Augusta National for a record 24th time after coming back from yet another surgery. However, he was never really in contention and finished 16 over par, which, when he went to the clubhouse, left him at the bottom of the field.
Regardless, he described it as ‘a good week’. “It was a good week all round,” he added. ‘I think coming in here, having not played a whole tournament for a very long time, it was a good game on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, yesterday didn’t go quite the way I wanted it to.’
Playing partner Tom Kim carded a brilliant 66 and Woods was left to ponder what might have been. “The way Tom plays, I thought I had in my system,” he explained. ‘Unfortunately, I didn’t produce it.’
Far from retirement, he has now set his sights on trying to recapture some of the form that brought him to the top of the sport. “Keep lifting, keep the engine going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep moving forward,” he said. ‘Hopefully the training sessions keep getting longer.’