Phil Mickelson praises the PGA Tour’s decision to bring Tiger Woods onto the Policy Board… a move seen as a ‘critical moment’ for the golf circuit

The PGA Tour’s most outspoken defector is praising his former employer for putting the sport’s biggest name in a position of power.

Phil Mickelson tweeted out his approval of Tiger Woods being named to the PGA Tour’s Policy Board on Tuesday in response to demands from a number of players.

‘This is great to see,’ Mickelson posted. ‘Players having equal representation on the board, Tiger getting more involved, and accountability across the board. Awesome news.’

Mickelson’s praise for a longtime rival of his is somewhat surprising, especially considering the two stand on vastly opposite sides of the LIV-PGA issue.

While Tiger has remained with the PGA Tour and has often vocally defended it, Mickelson left for LIV and has been playing on the tour for over a year.

The announcement yesterday of Tiger’s new appointment came after a number of players expressed their disappointment at the proposed LIV-PGA merger in a letter addressed to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

The letter, the New York Times said, ‘amounted to a dramatic effort to reclaim power over a circuit that got its modern start after a player rebellion in the late 1960s.’ 

The addition of Woods is the latest in a number of concessions the PGA Tour players have gotten from Monahan. 

‘I am honored to represent the players of the PGA TOUR. This is a critical point for the TOUR, and the players will do their best to make certain that any changes that are made in TOUR operations are in the best interest of all TOUR stakeholders, including fans, sponsors and players,’ Woods said.

‘The players thank Commissioner [Jay] Monahan for agreeing to address our concerns, and we look forward to being at the table with him to make the right decisions for the future of the game that we all love. 

‘He has my confidence moving forward with these changes.’

‘Tiger’s voice and leadership throughout his career have contributed immeasurably to the success of the PGA TOUR, and to apply both to our governance and go-forward plan at this crucial time is even more welcomed and impactful,’ said Monahan.

‘I am committed to taking the necessary steps to restore any lost trust or confidence that occurred as a result of the surprise announcement of our Framework Agreement. 

‘My job in the negotiations – in partnership with our Player Directors, PAC and the broader membership – is to advocate for what is best for the PGA TOUR members today and in the future. 

‘Any agreement we reach must be shaped by our members’ input and approval earned through our Player Directors.’ 

As the sixth player director, Woods joins golfers like Webb Simpson and Patrick Cantlay on the board.

Players who wrote to Monahan said that the secret deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund betrayed the idea that the tour should be run by and for the benefit of the players. 

Many of the tour’s top athletes were given little notice of the deal prior to the announcement, with their reactions in real time widely expressing displeasure.

It appears that displeasure has not waned in the months since the deal was announced. 

‘We still don’t really have a lot of clarity as to what’s going on, and that’s a bit worrisome,’ Scottie Scheffler said last month. 

‘They keep saying it’s a player-run organization, and we don’t really have the information that we need.’

The New York Times reports that in recent weeks, players have been speaking privately about changes they want to see from the tour.

Woods has not played a tournament this season since he withdrew in the middle of the third round of The Masters.