In the midst of the tumultuous preparation for a significant golf championship, thunderstorms wreaked havoc on pre-tournament activities, prompting cancellation and subsequent reinstatement of interviews. Tiger Woods expressed doubts over his available time to assume the role of Ryder Cup captain while unexpected revelations of Rory McIlory’s divorce filing unsettled the golfing community. There’s potential for these early disruptions to set the tone for the 106th US PGA Championship at Valhalla.
McIlroy was previously triumphant at this event in Valhalla in 2014, an achievement that also coincided with weather interruptions. The initial games were briefly paused due to looming thunderstorms right before 10am on Tuesday, causing the day’s remaining pre-tournament press briefings to be abandoned. Weather forecasts predict further bouts of bad weather in the course of the week, a chain of events likely to cause PGA of America management some stress.
A momentary change in weather permitted players to go back onto the course, allowing prominent figures like Woods to interact with the media. Subsequently, information surfaced that the world’s second-ranked golfer, McIlroy, had submitted legals documents in Florida seeking divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll. In a public statement, a representative underscored McIlroy’s aspiration for a peaceful and respectful resolution during this tough period.
While McIlroy has chosent to remain tight-lipped about the situation, he has a scheduled press conference in Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon. Prior to arrival at Valhalla, McIlroy had been victorious in two consecutive PGA Tour rounds, including a compelling victory in Charlotte the past Sunday.
For quite some time, PGA of America has expressed interest in Woods captaining the US team at Bethpage the following September. However, despite several meetings, Woods, a 15-times major champion, shows reluctance to fully commit to the role. His involvement in discussions about a possible unification of top-tier golf in his capacity as PGA Tour board member, has been intense. Notably, the Saudi Arabian PIF is still interested in setting up a deal that might link the rebel LIV Tour to existing organisations.
Referring to the Ryder Cup scenario, Woods commented, “We’re still having talks. We haven’t reached any conclusion. We’re trying to figure out what potential roles and responsibilities would suit me, considering whether I can fit it into my schedule.”
The dedication I’m giving to the PGA Tour is quite significant, and it’s making me consider whether or not I can fulfil my captaincy responsibilities as intended. This includes representing Team USA and fulfilling commitments to players, the PGA of America and the fans. I must ensure I can give it its due time and dedication. Interestingly, Luke Donald was already named the captain of Europe’s team for the New York defence last November, an appointment done quite promptly.
On Monday, doubts about a possible agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF were heightened with influential businessman Jimmy Dunne’s resignation from the Policy Board of the Tour. Dunne felt his function had become irrelevant, criticizing the lack of substantiative advancement. In a letter he sent to Tour members, Dunne emphasized on the necessity of unifying professional golf to reignite fan enthusiasm and heal the divisions caused by a fragmented sport.
Tiger Woods confessed that Dunne’s resignation came as a surprise. “Negotiations with PIF are in progress,” Woods commented. “The situation is dynamic and changes every day. There is progress, indeed. Still, it’s a continuous negotiation that requires us all to put considerable effort into it. We’re not necessarily making huge strides, but progress is definitely being made.”
Despite multiple injuries, Woods remains upbeat about his playing career. His performance in the last month’s Masters was mediocre, finishing in 60th, yet the 48-year-old golfer maintained, “I believe I can still win golf tournaments. I am confident in my shots and my ability around the greens, including putting. The goal now is to maintain this for all four days, as opposed to how I performed at Augusta, which was only for two days.” – Guardian