Report: Tiger Woods voted against (!) Rory McIlroy returning to policy board

Tiger Woods reportedly opposed Rory McIlroy’s return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, as revealed in recent developments. McIlroy, who stepped down from his seat five months prior, sought to regain his influential position, expressing regret over his initial decision. Despite Webb Simpson’s willingness to vacate his seat for McIlroy’s return, a vote by other player directors resulted in a 3-2 decision against him, with Woods, Jordan Spieth, and Patrick Cantlay voting against. McIlroy’s strained relationship with Cantlay, highlighted by previous comments, may have influenced the outcome.

McIlroy’s discontent with Spieth’s reaction to PGA Tour Enterprises’ substantial financial injection from US private equity in March further complicated matters. While McIlroy aims to reconcile with Saudi financiers linked to LIV Golf to resolve elite men’s golf schisms, Woods, Cantlay, and Spieth appear reluctant, citing the Tour’s strengthened position after a similar cash injection by Strategic Sports Group. The reluctance of high-profile American golfers to compete overseas contrasts with McIlroy’s desire to elevate events like the Irish Open. Although McIlroy refrained from publicly naming opponents to his reinstatement, he expressed no hard feelings, emphasizing the need to move forward. The future dynamics between McIlroy and Woods remain uncertain.

McIlroy addressed the situation before the Wells Fargo Championship, acknowledging discomfort among a subset of board members regarding his return. He likened the complexities to past wounds but emphasized the window of opportunity for reconciliation. Drawing parallels to Northern Ireland’s peace process, McIlroy stressed the importance of compromise for the greater good of the sport. While acknowledging potential discomfort, he advocated for a unified approach to foster golf’s growth and unity.