In Tiger Woods pre-tournament press conference for the Genesis Invitational, he touched on many topics including a potential deal between the PGA Tour and the PIF.

The PGA Tour received roughly 1.1 billion dollars from the Strategic Sports Group which also includes a possibility for a future “co-investment” from the Saudi PIF, but according to Woods, the Tour may no longer need that additional investment.

“Financially, we don’t right now, and the monies that they have come to the table with and what we initially had agreed to in the framework agreement, those are all the same numbers.

“Anything beyond this is going to be obviously over and above.”

Woods added that while the PGA Tour doesn’t necessarily need the additional investment, they are still open to dealing with the PIF and negotiations are ongoing.

“Ultimately we would like to have PIF be a part of our tour and a part of our product.”

When asked if he knew what the PIF’s ultimate goal was, he said “yes and no”.

“From what their representatives have discussed with us, yes and no, because that changes and that evolves from a few months ago to what it is currently now.

“I don’t know if it’s good or bad, it’s an ongoing, fluid process.”

Since LIV’s inception, Woods has been one of the more outspoken players against the PIF’s involvment with professional golf in the United States, and voted in favor of the deal with SSG.

“The consortium that they have at SSG, the partners that have come together to be a part of this group is quite remarkable to be honest with you in the sports industry,” Woods said.

“They’re unbelievable leaders. At the time that we need great leadership going forward, I think this elicits that.”

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This week, TayorMade and Tiger Woods released their new clothing line, called “Sun Day Red”.

• Related: Will your scores suffer if you play clubs from 10 years ago? – GolfWRXers discuss

It started with a passion. The passion of competing. Of competing against ourselves. The field. The course. Life. Out of that passion, @SunDayRed rises.
 
Start your journey with us: https://t.co/MOv7rk5dYT pic.twitter.com/3aQWBHhIci

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 13, 2024

The promotional video was fantastic, but golf fans were a bit perplexed by the fact that “Sun Day” was two words rather than one.

While speaking to the New York Times, TaylorMade’s CEO, David Abeles, explained the meaning.

“Sunday red is the color that Mr. Woods has made very famous on Sundays, but Mr. Woods plays golf on more than just Sundays.”

Abeles also talked about the importance of “three’s”

Why Sun Day Red is three words: pic.twitter.com/BwgZjOS23L

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) February 13, 2024

That clears it up, right?

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During last weekend’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, Billy Horschel snapped at fan who was making noise during players’ pre shot routines.

“Buddy, when he’s over the shot, shut the hell up!” Billy exclaimed “He’s trying to hit a damn golf shot here, it’s our f*****g job!”

• Related: Will your scores suffer if you play clubs from 10 years ago? – GolfWRXers discuss

The event got a bit out of control, with drunk patrons starting fights and falling over during much of the weekend. Eventually, alcohol sales were ceased and the gates were closed due to the unruliness of the fans.

This week, Horschel went on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio to discuss why he lost his cool.

"I was displeased about the level of respect they were showing"

Billy Horschel joined Michael Breed of Golf to talk about his viral video from the WM Phoenix Open.@BillyHo_Golf I @MichaelBreed pic.twitter.com/T8lv9tyaTi

— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) February 13, 2024

“We’d just started our second round, we’re on the 11th hole and [Galletti] is over his second shot. We had told some fans over there to be quiet as he was about to hit. There were three or four guys over there that continued to talk and say some things.”

“They talked very loudly when he was over his shot, and I just feel like there was a loss of respect there. The guy is trying to play his shot, he’s trying to do his job. It’s the third day of the tournament and we hear a lot of different things.

“I just responded to it afterwards that I was displeased with the level of respect that was shown towards a fellow competitor while he is trying to hit a golf shot and compete in a golf tournament. And that’s just the simple fact of it.”

Horschel shared his opinion that many seem to be in agreement with, that the event has crossed the line from fun to unenjoyable.

“Has this tournament crossed the line? Yeah, I think the last couple of years have been a little much,” he added. “I think it has just got a little bit out of control. I just go back to the respect factor of it for what we’re trying to do in ours jobs.”

“I’ve read a few messages on social media like “you know what you signed up for” and “if you can’t take the heat then don’t show up,” but I’m like, this tournament was never about going there and being ridiculed by the fans. That was never the idea of this event.”

The event has vowed to fix the issues at hand, so hopefully changes are on the horizon for the 2025 version of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

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