Woods said he is simply looking into the ideas brought about by the proposed Premier Golf LeagueGETTY IMAGES
Tiger Woods confirmed he has been "personally approached" about potential involvement in the Premier Golf League, according to Will Gray of GOLFCHANNEL.com. Several other players, including Phil Mickelson, have also been approached, but Woods is the "most influential target for potential involvement." Speaking ahead of the Genesis Open in L.A. yesterday, Woods said that he has been "briefed on some of the details surrounding the PGL but remained noncommittal about its prospects." Woods: "There's a lot of information that we're still looking at, and whether it's reality or not, but just like everybody else, we're looking into it." Gray noted while it "remains to be seen whether the PGL can transform from concept to reality, Woods believes that the core concept propelling the idea -- one of a lucrative splinter group challenging the PGA Tour for the loyalty and involvement of the game's biggest stars -- likely won't go away anytime soon." Woods: "Ideas like this are going to happen going forward, whether it's now or any other time in the future" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 2/11). GOLF DIGEST's Joel Beall noted although it exists "only in the abstract at the moment, it's widely believed that the PGL would need to attract Woods, along with a handful of in-their-prime stars, to pose a viable threat to the PGA Tour" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 2/11).
SHARK SIGHTING: Greg Norman, who attempted to start a similar world golf tour in the '90s, said that the PGL is "for real." Norman said that he has "been in conversations with the Raine Group, the New York-based investment firm and PGL backer, dating back" to late '18. Norman: "They asked me a few questions -- 'what are the potential hurdles and stopping blocks?' They were already deep into their business concept and proving it out." GOLF.com's James Colgan noted Norman "isn't working with the league in any official capacity," but at the Saudi Golf Summit two weeks ago, he "met with the league's financiers." Norman: "I'm getting a little bit more of an insight and understanding of it. Quite honestly, I do love the concept" (GOLF.com, 2/7).
