Tiger Woods expects golf’s civil war to ‘heal quickly’ (and we can all thank Donald Trump)

Tiger Woods says Donald Trump’s involvement in talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will bring peace to the sport

First Rory McIlroy and now Tiger Woods.

The 15-time major champion says LIV Golf players will return to PGA Tour events as early as this year after Donald Trump became involved in talks between the warring parties.

The president met with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Adam Scott, a member of the players’ board, at the White House earlier this month to discuss the framework agreement laid out in the summer of 2003.

And while Woods did not attend the meeting following the death of his mother, he did claim Monahan and Scott “did great” and that they have “another subsequent meeting coming up”.

Woods, who also pulled out of the Genesis Invitational but turned up at Torrey Pines on Sunday in his capacity as tournament host, was talking during a brief stint in the CBS commentary booth, and his comments came just days after McIlroy’s own frank admission regarding Trump.

“I think that things are going to heal quickly,” Woods added.

“We’re going to get this game going in the right direction. It’s been heading in the wrong direction for a number of years. The fans want all the top players playing together and we’re going to make that happen.”

When asked if he expected the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to reunite soon, including this year, Woods replied: “Yes, and yes.”

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Woods was also keen to thank people for the way they responded to the death of Kultida, who passed away on February 4.

“Mom was my rock,” Woods said. “[It’s a] tough process to go through, but I’ve had amazing family support.

“All the players have reached out that were playing here this week. The amount of texts and emails and nice messages of support I got has really helped and has really meant a lot to me.”  

Those teeing up at Torrey Pines paid tribute by wearing a pin badge featuring the Thai symbol for love as well as the words “For Tida”.

The badge was also red, which Kultida believed was Woods’ “power color” and the reason behind his famous Sunday outfits.