LIV Golf seal five new arrivals as ambitions clear after Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour declaration
LIV Golf have signalled their intent with five key arrivals.
LIV Golf have made their move with five key appointments (Image: Getty)
LIV Golf have signalled their intention by recruiting five new members to the executive team in an ambitious shake-up. It comes in the wake of Tiger Woods’ comments indicating ongoing discussions with the PGA Tour.
TRENDING
Woods shows true
colours after pausing his final Masters round to make gesture
Masters caddie earns life-changing money after stepping in to help Ryder Cup sta
McIlroy proved right about LIV as concerning Masters data emerges after Augusta
The reshuffle at LIV includes the appointment of David Phillipps as Chief Financial Officer, Ross Hallett named Head of Events, Katie O’Reilly made Head of Team Business Operations, Pam Sacree taking over as Head of Human Resources, and Tim Taylor serving as the leader of the Saudi-backed league’s UK headquarters in London.
In the middle of this restructuring, golf icon Woods disclosed that talks with the PGA Tour were “heading in the right direction”, hinting at the possibility of a resolution shaping the sport’s future. However, the fresh appointments imply that the breakaway league is set on bolstering its position regardless of the outcome.
With a historical agreement signed last June between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), the existence of the breakaway league had been under question. But PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan reaffirmed that this agreement wouldn’t result in a ‘merger’ with the LIV set-up.
He said last summer: “Let me be clear that despite numerous reports, this arrangement is not a merger between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and the PIF. The PIF will be a minority investor.”
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler’s ‘superpower’ has ensured ‘dawn of dominance’
Doubts had been raised when LIV CEO Greg Norman was absent from the initial negotiations that led to the announcement of their framework agreement on June 6.
The addition of five new executives on Wednesday signalled that LIV have no intention of disappearing anytime soon. This sentiment was echoed by former world No. 1 Norman, who confidently stated last October that he had ‘zero’ concerns about the long-term future of LIV Golf.
“I knew exactly the investment into LIV and the long-term ability of the franchises, and the valuation of each one of these franchises,” he remarked. “The money was always going to be invested in that and it will continue to be invested in that. I knew LIV was always going to exist.”
The PGA Tour and LIV Golf remain in talks ten months on from the June announcement. And in March, representatives from the PGA Tour – including Woods – met with members of the PIF, marking a positive step for the future of professional golf.
At the Masters last week, Woods reported that the meeting between both parties last month was productive. He said: “I don’t know if we’re closer but certainly we’re headed in the right direction. That was a very positive meeting, and I think both sides came away from the meeting feeling positive.”
RELATED ARTICLES
McIlroy proved right about LIV as concerning Masters data emerges after Augusta
Phil Mickelson among 6 LIV stars handed major boost immediately after Masters
SUBSCRIBE
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
LIV GolfPGA Tour
Most read in Golf
Latest videos
BBC Beyond Paradise fans ecstatic over nod to iconic Death In Paradise character
ITV Coronation Street fans issue same complaint over latest Daniel Osbourne twist
Furious The Chase fans blast ‘slow’ team for lost prize as they fume ‘another wasted hour’
Claudia Winkleman in awkward 8-word apology to her BBC Radio 2 replacement before debut
BBC News apologises after sex scandal MP’s image mistakenly used for second time
Rory McIlroy makes instant change after Masters disappointment on PGA Tour return
LIV Golf would love to sign 5 PGA Tour stars including Ryder Cup heroes
Tiger Woods denied £65m due to sheer bad luck and unable to do anything about it
Tiger Woods announcement teased as golf icon gets backing from unlikely source
Tiger Woods retreats to £15m super yacht after Masters with onboard elevator and huge gym
Phil Mickelson among 6 LIV Golf stars handed major boost immediately after Masters
Rory McIlroy proved right about LIV as concerning Masters data emerges after Augusta
Rory McIlroy’s message to LIV Golf chief Greg Norman after ‘£683m offer’ rumours
LIV Golf star fires back at critics after Masters adds fuel to PGA Tour theor
LIV Golf planning huge new signing that is set to cause Ryder Cup chaos
Rory McIlroy’s manager issues simple response to £682m LIV Golf speculation
HOROSCOPESAPPSWEATHERPAPER