Tiger Woods, PGA Tour thrown into further chaos with latest resignation

Tiger Woods, PGA Tour thrown into further chaos with latest resignation

The PGA Tour has been dealt another blow with the resignation of Mark Flaherty from its policy board, marking the second high-profile departure in less than a week. Flaherty’s resignation, confirmed by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, comes amidst ongoing turmoil surrounding negotiations with LIV Golf and its parent company, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Flaherty’s resignation follows that of fellow independent director Jimmy Dunne, who stepped down last week after being instrumental in orchestrating a framework agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF. This agreement has been met with fierce criticism from prominent golfers, including Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth, who were angered by the secrecy surrounding the negotiations.

Woods, who joined the policy board in August 2023, has since demanded that no further agreements be made without the prior knowledge of PGA Tour members. Despite his objections, it appears that little progress has been made in resolving the conflict between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

In his resignation letter, Flaherty made no direct mention of the ongoing LIV Golf controversy, instead praising commissioner Monahan and chairman Ed Herlihy for their leadership. Flaherty’s departure raises further questions about the future direction of the PGA Tour and its ability to navigate the complex landscape of professional golf amidst the rise of LIV Golf.

As negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF continue to stall, many are left wondering what the future holds for the world of professional golf. With tensions running high and the resignations of key figures such as Flaherty and Dunne, it remains to be seen whether the PGA Tour can successfully navigate this tumultuous period and maintain its position as a premier golf organization.