Tiger WoodsOn Tuesday, a select group of players arrived at Wilmington, Delaware, where the BMW Championship is taking place, to discuss the future PGA Tour and how it might be strengthened against LIV Golf, which is aiming to attract the best players in the country.
Woods, a fifteen-time major champion, flew with his friend to Delaware from Florida. Rickie Fowler, who was not eligible for the FedEx Cup Playoffs second leg.
Stars of the PGA Tour Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Patrick CantlayOthers were also expected to attend the meeting which was being held at an off course hotel.
ESPN reported Monday that Woods was meeting with a number of the top 20 golfers around the world, as well as other influential players, to make sure they are all on the same page in terms of the future of PGA Tour.
Sources tell ESPN that Woods had similar discussions in July with a few players at the JP McManus Pro-Am, Ireland, and that he wanted to share their ideas with a wider audience of PGA Tour members.
Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, was not invited to the meeting. ESPN has learned that he is scheduled to host players for an informal question-and answer session on Wednesday. Monahan has been hosting tournament meetings for the past few weeks.
ESPN was told by a source that it wasnt planned to be an all hands on deck” meeting with Woods. There have been many past major champions, such as Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Bryson deChambeauAnd Phil MickelsonLIV Golf has lured players away from the PGA Tour by offering guaranteed contracts worth $100 million to $200 millions and $25 million purses for each event.
The Telegraph of London reported last week that the Open Championship winner was announced. Cameron SmithThe No. 2 ranked player in the world, he is poised to join LIV Golf. LIV Golf is poised for Smith, the No. 2 ranked player in the world. Smith dodged reporters inquiries about the report.
Woods meeting is scheduled one week after a federal court denied a temporary restraining orders to three LIV golfers who tried to return to the PGA Tour to play in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Talor Gooch, Matt JonesAnd Hudson SwaffordWe were trying to participate in the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.
Spains ambassador said that It could have made it a little more awkward, yeah. Jon RahmOn Tuesday, he spoke at a news conference. They left the PGA Tour. They chose not to. They chose to go to another tour, knowing the consequences. And then, theyll try to get back. [and it]I dont think it would have.
But at the exact same time, theyre adults. They are free to do whatever they like, up to a certain extent. Thats what they chose. I dont think they can do anything else if they are allowed to by a judge. It would have been awkward, perhaps, but I guess we wont ever know.
Cantlay, the FedEx Cup champion, was questioned if a meeting with only a few players would result in more divisions on the PGA Tour. Cantlay replied that he was invited.
Cantlay stated that, I think depending upon the results, there may be any changes potentially. Im not certain what, or if anything, will happen, and what the results will be. Its great that so many players are coming together to discuss the situation, especially considering the current circumstances.