Rory McIlroy makes Tiger Woods claim over PGA Tour's future

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has offered his thoughts on the inclusion of Tiger Woods' inclusion to the PGA Tour's policy board.

Ben Smith

10 Aug 2023

Rory McIlroy makes Tiger Woods claim over PGA Tour's future

Other than revealing his Ryder Cup preparations involved a bachelor party, Rory McIlroy also dished on Tiger Woods being added to the PGA Tour's policy board.

In news that won't surprise anyone in the slightest, McIlroy has given Woods his full seal of approval.

"It's a great addition," said McIlroy to a pool of reporters ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

He added:

"The player over the last 20 years that's left the biggest legacy on the game, for him to be involved in the discussions around the future of professional golf and what that may look like I think is very important.

"Tiger has stepped up for all of us on tour, and I think he realizes that the players that are on the policy board were trying to play regular golf, and at the same time try to navigate all these different things, as well.

"He's maybe got a little more time on his hands than we do."

McIlroy was alluding to the fact that Woods, 47, is still in the process of his latest injury recovery.

The 15-time major champ has severe difficulties with his right leg, ankle and foot.

He went under the knife once again after hobbling out of the 87th Masters. His right leg was shattered during his near-fatal car crash in February 2021.

Woods had a subtalar fusion surgery to treat arthritis arising from an older fracture.

"For him to step up and sort of take a little bit of the load off us is very much appreciated," McIlroy added.

It wasn't just McIlroy who appreciated Woods joining the policy board.

Under fire PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan also welcomed Woods' inclusion.

Monahan revealed mental health issues stemming from the LIV Golf framework agreement announcement on 6 June led to his absence.

Read more about that here

Monahan said of Woods:

"He's essentially been, in a certain way, in that role behind the scenes. I think it's a tremendous statement, and it gives our players great confidence to know that he’s in that spot.

"It's a question I was going to ask of him, and for him to step up that way I think was tremendous and is tremendous.

"Tiger Woods doesn't do anything lightly, and so he's going to be very involved."

McIlroy and Monahan's comments come as the PGA Tour confirmed the 2024 schedule.

Unsurprisingly, the tournament Woods hosts, the Genesis Invitational at Riviera County Club, has retained a 36-hole cut.

The winner will also collect a $4m cheque.

See the full schedule here

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