Tiger Woods criticizes LIV Greg Norman: ‘Not in golf’s interest’

On Tuesday, golfer Tiger Woods made a big splash in LIV golf, saying he didn’t see how the new league would serve the interests of professional golf.

Woods spoke before the 150th British Open in St Andrews, declaring his commitment to the PGA Tour as he sided with the British Open to kick Greg Norman out of the tournament.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” Woods said of R&A’s decision to ban Norman. “Obviously R&A has its own views, its own regulations and its own decisions. Greg has done some things that I don’t think are in the best interest of our game, and we’re going back to perhaps the most historic and traditional place in our sport.”

Woods added that Norman tried to create a competitor in the PGA 20 years ago and “it didn’t work”.

#VIDEO; Tiger asked LIV GOLF pic.twitter.com/hFQxa8v8Xd

– TWLEGION (@TWlegion) 12 July 2022

“I know Greg tried to do that in the early ’90s,” Woods continued. “It didn’t work then, and it’s trying to do it now. I still don’t understand how this is in the interests of the game. What is the European Tour and the PGA Tour and what have they done… and everyone who runs golf and all the major championships how they do it, I think they see something different than what Greg sees. “.

The 46-year-old received a ton of praise on the PGA Tour.

“I know what the PGA Tour means and what we’re doing,” he said, and “I know what the tour has given us, the opportunity to pursue our careers and win the trophies we’ve had and the trophies we’ve played for and the story part of that game.”

Then the man who brought new life to golf criticized the pros who jumped ship on the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV.

“Players who decided to move to LIV and play there, I disagree,” Woods said. “I think what they did was walk away from what allowed them to get into this position. Some players didn’t even get a chance to experience it – they went straight to this organization from the recruits’ ranks and didn’t get a chance to play here and learn what it’s like to play or play in the Tour program. from some big events. ”

US Tiger Woods, former St. He took his first hit in a practice round before the 150th Open in St. Andrews Course on July 12, 2022 in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Warren Little/Getty Images)

Woods later complained that some LIV players “won’t have the opportunity to play in major championships” and “won’t have the opportunity to walk the fairways right here at Augusta National.” That’s the only thing I don’t understand.”

Woods is also concerned that the guaranteed money offered by LIV will feed players’ hunger and prevent them from reaching greatness.

“What are these players doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to train?” she cried. “What’s the incentive to go out there and make money off the scumbag? You just get a lot of money up front and participate in some tournaments and play 54 holes. They played loud music and the whole atmosphere was different. ”

Woods also criticized LIV for limiting the game to 54 holes, adding that younger players need 72-hole competition.

Ultimately, Woods said he didn’t think the way the LIV was done would make golf better.

“I don’t see how this move will be positive for most of these players in the long run, especially if the LIV organization isn’t able to score in the world rankings and major championships have changed their standards for participating in competitions.” said. . He graduated. It’s sad to see some of these little kids not get the chance to experience it and not experience what we’ve had a chance to experience, walking in these holy places and playing these championships.”