Tiger Talks About His Future, St Andrews, Featheries, Saudis And Refers Accident Questions To Sheriff's Report

A day after an interview by his partners at Golf Digest/Discovery that saw Tiger Woods open up on several topics, he faced questions from assembled scribes in the Bahamas to kick off Hero World Challenge week. As is fairly typical of , Woods avoided any details of his car accident and referred everyone to the police report that was eventually posted by TMZ.

He was again clear about his ability to play at a high level being very much up in the air.

I'll put it to you this way: As far as playing at the Tour level, I don't know when that's going to happen. Now, I'll play a round here or there, a little hit and giggle, I can do something like that. I certainly like -- you know, the USGA suggested Play It Forward. I really like that idea now. I don't like the tees on the back. I like Play It Forward. Come on, let's move it up, let's move it up. To see some of my shots fall out of the sky a lot shorter than they used to is a little eye-opening, but at least I'm able to do it again. That's something that for a while there it didn't look like I was going to. Now I'm able to participate in the sport of golf, now to what level, I do not know that. I'll keep you abreast, all of you abreast as progress continues to go on, whether I'll be out here and at what level and when. 

Actually it was Tee it Forward and I believe that one’s ten years old and about 14 slogans ago. Excuse me, brand campaigns. But we get the point.

Q. Tiger, I'm wondering what you remember of the accident. Obviously we all saw the result and it looked so horrifying and scary, and I have a follow up to that. 

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, all those answers have been answered in the investigation, so you can read about all that there in the post report. 

Short and not very accountable. Would have been nice to say he’s just glad no one else was hurt.

He is out playing golf more than we might have realized:

Q. Have you played golf holes, like a full hole or 18 holes? 

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, I play full holes, yeah, but not from my tee markers.

As for the pain…

Q. I don't want to get too personal, but what are you experiencing there at the moment, sitting there? 

TIGER WOODS: My back hurts and my leg hurts.

He was asked about The Open at St Andrews and gave perhaps my favorite answer regarding the Champions dinner:

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, I would love to play at St. Andrews, there's no doubt about it. It's my favorite golf course in the world. To be a two-time Open champion there, just being a part of the champions dinner is really neat. From my first one in '05 I got to attend a champions dinner, it was pretty neat to be a part of. Peter Thomson was still alive, and I sat right next to him and to hear him tell stories of when he came over and he played and shots he played and how he did it, that was awesome. Those are things like at the Masters, those dinners are priceless and those stories and listen to them talk about how they played, when they played it and what they did, it's just an honor to be a part of a room like that. Yes, I would love to be able to play that Open Championship, there's no doubt about it. 

Physically, hopefully I can. I've got to get there first. Tournament's not going to go anywhere, but I need to get there.

After mentioning the Par 3 at the Masters he was jokingly asked by AP’s Doug Ferguson about committing to the Par 3 when it returns.

Q. Did you just commit to the par 3?

TIGER WOODS: No. I committed to I can play courses of that length. Now, if the Tour wants to not have golf courses lengthened, they shorten up that much to make it more difficult, that's fine by me, I have no problem with that. If they want to go back to wooden shafts and feathery balls, okay, I'm cool.

Shorter courses and a retro event. What we’ve all wanted! Maybe Jay Monahan can work on that after Tiger gave him this answer to a question about the Greg Norman disruptor league and what players should do.

TIGER WOODS: It's going to be his decision, period. I've decided for myself that I'm supporting the PGA TOUR, that's where my legacy is. I've been fortunate enough to have 

won 82 events on this tour and 15 major championships and been a part of the World Golf Championships, the start of them and the end of them. So I have an allegiance to the PGA TOUR. 

And I understand that some of the comparisons is very similar to when Arnold and Jack broke off from the PGA of America to start the Tour. I don't see it that way. I think the Tour has done a fantastic job, Jay's done an unbelievable job during a very difficult time during the pandemic when there was ample opportunities for players to leave, but we were the first sporting tour to start. 

So with that, yes, did we have some protocol issues at times? Yes, we had to learn on the fly, but Jay and the staff had done an incredible job of that. I think the Tour is in great hands, they're doing fantastic, and prize money's going up. It's just not guaranteed money like most sports are. It's just like tennis, you have to go out there and earn it.

This answer pre-accident would have been huge news. But now that he’s on the Hogan schedule, at best participation in PGA Tour events will be very limited.

Woods also left out the thank you payment he’s receiving from the PIP pool or that he loathes Norman. But do note that he references the “end” of the WGC’s. Better not mention that in May’s WGHOF speech while Tim Finchem is saluted for creating them.

Moving along…more on where he’s at and where’s going. A far more revealing answer about his future:

TIGER WOODS: You made a great point. Am I going to put my family through it again, am I going to put myself out there again. We had a talk within the family, all of us sat down and said if this leg cooperates and I get to a point where I can play the Tour, is it okay with you guys if I try and do it. The consensus was yes. 

Now, internally, I haven't reached that point. I haven't proven it to myself that I can do it. I can show up here and I can host an event, I can play a par-3 course, I can hit a few shots, I can chip and putt, but we're talking about going out there and playing against the world's best on the most difficult golf courses under the most difficult conditions. I'm so far from that. 

Now, I have a long way to go to get to that point. Now, I haven't decided whether or not I want to get to that point. I've got to get my leg to a point where that decision can be made. And we'll see what happens when I get to that point, but I've got a long way to go with this leg.

This from Golf’s Dylan Dethier was another effort to ask about the accident:

Q. When it comes to the day of the crash, clearly that's something that you're hoping to keep private. Is that something that you feel is sort of your business and not the rest of ours, for lack of a better phrase? 

TIGER WOODS: Well, I kind of feel that way with most of my life. Doesn't really work out that way. I understand that it's -- I had friends that insulated me from a lot of the things that were said outside. I didn't have my phone, I didn't have access -- well, I did have access to a TV and I was just watching sports. But I refused to turn on the local channels and news and stuff like that, I didn't want to go down that road. I wasn't mentally ready for that road yet. A lot of things in my body hurt at that time and whether I was on medication or not, it still hurt. And just trying to imagine me coming off of that stuff, how much it was going to hurt, I didn't want to have my mind go there yet, it wasn't ready. 

Yeah, people are going to poke and prod and want to know more about my business, I understand that. Just as long as they don't go into -- they can poke and prod at me all they want, just stay away from my family. 

Considering the usual interruptions from journalists there to fill seats for the sponsor and the haphazard nature of such press conferences, it was fairly classic Woods session with a few good reveals if you look close enough. More telling may have been the clarity in his voice and eyes and cautious tone from someone who traditionally projects extreme confidence.

Financial Times On "The Saudi-backed plan to shake up the sport"

Samuel Agini of the Financial Times explores the Saudi efforts to start a golf league and does a nice job reviewing how we got to the point. In the way of original reporting, he gets some comments from Callaway’s Chip Brewer, the R&A’s Martin Slumbers and a strange “statement” from the PGA Tour’s Jay Monahan. So two of the three like the FT and felt it was worth the time to call back.

But I think what I enjoyed most is a reminder that we will get to hear Greg Norman act like he thought of things that are just totally stolen from the Premier Golf League concept. Like this on franchising:

But the structure of golf means teams cannot be bought and sold. Unlike in football and basketball, golfers are individual contractors. They work for themselves, while the tours run competitions, aggregate media rights and monetise the coverage. Despite the apparent independence of players, they typically require permission from their member tour if they are to play on rival circuits. Norman argues that this model is a missed financial opportunity. “You look at that value that’s been generated through other sports, for other players and other franchises,” he says. “Golf has never recognised that or had the ability to capture that market.”

As for quotes, the R&A’s Slumbers tried to distinguish between investment and blowing up the current structure, though he doesn’t make a case for why the current structure is that special.

He distinguishes between LIV proposals for breakaway golf leagues and initiatives such as oil company Saudi Aramco’s sponsorship of the Ladies European Tour, the women’s golf group of which Slumbers is a board member. “I think there is a difference between wanting to invest and support within the current structure and wanting to be a disrupter,” he says.

The writer only got this from Jay Monahan…

“The PGA Tour is stronger than at any time in our history and the game of golf has unprecedented momentum,” Monahan said in an emailed statement. “We are positioned to grow faster in the next 10 years than at any other point in our existence.”

I don’t even think that’s a non-denial, denial. More like a non-answer, answer.

It’s a bold strategy to only pump money to purses and bonus pools without investing fans in an exciting new future that makes them sentimental for the current model. I realize that would require caring about the fans above all else.

Greg Norman's Appointment Hardened Rory's Opinion Against The Disruptor Tours

So much for The Great White Shirtless Shark convincing Rory McIlroy to take the Saudi’s money, reports the Daily Mail's Derek Lawrenson.

When asked by Sportsmail, the Northern Irishman made it clear in no uncertain terms that his opposition to a proposed Saudi world tour remains unequivocal.

If the Saudis thought that appointing Norman as the face of their new operation would lead to a player exodus from the established tours, they might well be dismayed by McIlroy’s coruscating verdict.

I’d say my view only hardened after the first appointments,’ he responded, referring to Norman. 

‘Then, when other selected individuals also came on board, I’d say that just hardened my opinion even more.’

Can’t these Floridians all just get along?

Quadrilateral: Ranking The Disruptive Forces

So much is at stake in the coming months and it’s a pretty stunning change from not that long ago when the “league” idea was declared dead.

For a new edition of The Quadrilateral, here are fifteen factors that have put the PGA Tour on notice and opened the door for potential pro golf anarchy.

Sportico Estimates Highest Paid Athletes Of All Time: Tiger, Arnold, Jack In The Top 4

Based on inflation adjusted earnings and some guestimating about endorsement income, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus landed in the top 4 of Sportico’s list of highest paid athletes of all time.

Phil Mickelson landed 11th and Greg Norman 15th. Not bad for a niche sport.

Shark On Saudi Arabia: There Are Women In Restaurants!

As Commissioner Greg Norman tries to sell the Saudi golf move into the Asian Tour and an elite global tour inspired by the Premier Golf League, the Shark is out spinning his role. Speaking to GolfDigest.com’s Daniel Rapaport, Norman made clear there is nothing to see here when it comes to the home of 9/11 hijackers, public beheadings and women’s rights.

I’ve been going to Saudi Arabia now for three years. I was invited to do a golf course design project there. Unless you actually go there and see and understand exactly what’s happening there, you [can’t] sit back and make judgmental calls. I made the journey there to look at what was happening in Saudi Arabia before I made any decision on anything because I’m not a person who makes judgement calls. I make sound decisions on sound facts and information that is presented to you. So when the PIF wanted to become a majority investor, I knew what was happening in the country.

Women’s right issues—the women there now, I’ve been so impressed. You walk into a restaurant and there are women. They’re not wearing burkas. They’re out playing golf.

That last comment earned this from the Golf Digest editors:

Editor’s note: Saudi Arabia ranked 147th out of 153 nations in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index for 2021. And according to Human Rights watch, despite women’s rights reforms in recent years, “Saudi women still must obtain a male guardian’s approval to get married, leave prison, or obtain certain healthcare. Women also continue to face discrimination in relation to marriage, family, divorce, and decisions relating to children, including child custody.”

Upstart League May Have Solved A Key (Major Championship) Question, But Saudi Ties Remain

If players can earn world ranking points, Greg Norman's Saudi-funded disruptor Tour approaches viability, as I write in this Quad where most is open to tall. But behind the wall I look at No Laying Up’s report suggesting several Trump courses are in the mix. Wild stuff.

Is Greg Norman Going To Be Golf (Saudi's) Commissioner?

Golf Digest Australia’s Brad Clifton is very excited about the rumored prospects of Greg Norman leading Golf Saudi’s theft of the Premier Golf League concept. That’s right, rumors are flying that the Shirtless Shark will be the, gulp, Commissioner of this new team venture taking aim at the PGA Tour.

Clifton writes:

One thing that is certain is the global outreach for such a platform will be equally as significant, if not more.

If the latest Norman rumours are indeed true, it’s the best news golf has received in a long time.

Has there been a more influential innovator in the world of golf over the past 40 years? It’s why ‘The Shark’ is the perfect person to help modernise the game at a time when the PGA Tour hasn’t exactly ticked all the boxes in its efforts to deliver a compelling product and give global golf and sport fans what they really want – the world’s best players competing against each other on a regular basis outside of the Majors and, crucially, outside of the United States.

Would this be a bad time to bring up the Shark Experience? You may recall the Shark’s epic tease a few years back:

“In the middle second quarter of next year, I’ll invite you guys down to my office,” he said. “We will tell you exactly how we’re going to break this cast iron that’s been wrapped around golf for so long. We’re going to shatter it. The institutions (USGA, R&A, PGA of America, PGA Tour) will eventually buy into it because they will have to buy into it. They won’t have a choice.”

Turns out, it was a golf cart that plays music.

Now Norman has apparently turned his focus to helping Golf Saudi in a grander fashion than his initial grifts of some course design work and appearances at their grow-the-game summits.

According to this story in Golf Digest Middle East—oh yes that’s not fiction—Norman has lauded the Saudis as “truly at the forefront” of grassroots development. Guess they liked the Shark Experience!

Time will tell what the Shirtless one’s role will be in the disruptor golf league, if and when it launches.

Meanwhile, more disturbing allegations regarding the Crown Prince were aired on 60 Minutes Sunday. Saad Aljabri, former number two in Saudi intelligence, says Mohammed bin Salman forced him out and is in exile, fearing for his life because he knows too much. Nice people.

Greg Norman Moves To The Extreme Narcissism Phase Of His Design Career

Moving back to Sydney, Greg Norman is bringing an inflated sense of self and leaving proof in the ground. Mercifully he’s not going with a Mother Nature-inspired homage to his favorite attributes and instead is designing a course shaped like a shark. Get it. Like a Great White Shark.

From the Daily Mail on the deal inked with developer Dean Lukin Jr.:

With Norman's name attached, Mr Lukin Jr hopes to attract investors to the one-of-a-kind project, estimated to be cost between $600 - $700million.     

'I am very excited to have Greg Norman involved as I am hugely passionate about this beautiful region,' he said.

'There is nobody better than Greg in achieving an aesthetic, well-planned and creative golf course development.

I’d keep an eye on how he shapes the shark. That could go wrong in a lot of ways.

Shirtless Shark Says Mother Nature Was "Good To Me", Deletes Nude Shower Shot At Sirius' Request

Always great to hear Greg Norman singing the praises of the job Florida’s doing with COVID-19 as the state deals with a COVID surge. Oh, and the amazing body bequeathed to him by Mother Nature.

Appearing on Australia’s Today Show to plug a new Sydney housing development, the voice of The Masters on Sirius/XM admitted the satellite radio provider asked him to delete a nude shower photo posted just prior to tournament week.

“It’s just who I am!” Norman said to laughing hosts Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic. “Aussies are very outgoing people. I’m a very natural person, as you guys can tell. It is what it is and Mother Nature was pretty good to me.”

The Australian, who now resides in Florida, added that an American radio show pleaded with him to delete the photo because they thought that it would be the main news story “all week.”

“I love my outlook on life and it really is not offensive, to be honest with you,” Norman said. “I look after myself. I enjoy working out.”

Indeed, the post was taken down. What an insult to Mother Nature.

If you want to torture yourself, the full interview…

Uh, Your Masters Radio Lead Analyst Says Goodbye To His Beloved Shower As Only He Can

Greg Norman, having sold his Florida home, wanted to share with us his final “sunset shower” at Tranquility, apparently the estate’s name.

Ladies and gentleman, (children cover your eyes), your SiriusXM Masters lead analyst this week…who also took a little jab at the other non-Fox golf networks approach to coverage as he prepares for his Augusta return:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Greg Norman (@shark_gregnorman)

Shirtless Shark: "I don't need to be seen to be seen."

Given his proclivity for posting photos of himself on Instagram, I found Greg Norman’s indifference to Augusta National’s Big Oak social scene curious.

From the New York Post’s Mark Cannizzaro on Norman’s return to Augusta as SiriusXM’s lead analyst.

But you won’t see Norman schmoozing with the who’s who in golf under the big oak tree this week.

“I’m not that type of person that needs to hang around underneath the tree just to hang around,’’ Norman said. “I don’t need to be seen to be seen.’’

Sadly, he will be heard with Brian Katrek as their year-one radio team following Westwood One losing the Masters radio deal. Between those two, it could be a very tough listen.

Shark Lists His Florida Estate For $59.9 Million

You too can maintain the same shrubs that Greg Norman nearly cut off his hand pruning along with a 1900 bottle cellar and 30-car parking area for staff.

There is a tennis court but no sign of golf. Not even a putting green?

Welcome to “Tranquility”. One of the original ocean-to-Intracoastal estates on Jupiter Island, the stunning full compound of buildings, situated on a sprawling 8.31-acre lot, was built for a barefoot elegance lifestyle. It boasts 31,820 total SF of living space, including the Main House, Coach House, Pool House, Tennis House, Boat House, Carriage House, Beach House & 5,000 SF basement. With 10BR,12+6BA,172’ of oceanfront, & 370’ of WF on the Intracoastal Waterway, the estate sports a modern tropical/yacht-inspired feel with dockage for a 150’ yacht. Remote & set back, the estate is a true escape, offering the utmost in privacy, and one-of-a-kind amenities including a US open sized tennis court, fitness center, movie theater, elevator, 2 main pools, spa, wine cellar, bar & gourmet kitchen.

Links: A Preview Of 12 New Courses Likely To Open In 2021

The Shark Club In Hollywood, Florida

After very few course openings in 2020, this year appears to have some intriguing projects likely to welcome golfers in some form. Erik Matuszewski surveys the globe and it’s very much an international list, including Tom Doak’s St. Patrick’s Links (County Donegal, Ireland), Gil Hanse’s Ballyshear Links (Bangkok, Thailand), Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s Brambles (Middletown, Calif.) and Greg Norman’s The Shark Club (Hollywood, Fla.) featuring a Seth Raynor influence…if you put one of his designs in a hot shirt press.

Another complete re-do, this real estate conversion project took the 180-acre footprint of the former course at the Diplomat Golf & Tennis Club and shrunk it to 120 acres for a “throwback design” that has a Seth Raynor influence with straight lines, geometric angles, and a host of raised greens. While there’s a lot of water, Greg Norman’s design team says this par-70 layout that’s just under 6,500 yards will be like nothing else in the South Florida market.

I can’t disagree based on that photo.

Norman Speaks To Today Show About Surviving The Coronavirus He Would Not Wish On Anyone

Good for Greg Norman in highlighting how, in spite of his remarkable fitness at age 65, he experienced the brutality of COVID-19.

Speaking to the Today Show’s Gabe Gutierrez, Norman reiterates the need to take this seriously and avoid getting the coronavirus at all costs. As silly as it sounds ten months into the pandemic, his message remains important for skeptics to hear (and maybe will quiet his criticism of leaders enacting rules to help stem the spread?.

Norman also says he started feeling symptoms Sunday of the PNC Championship just two days after attending this party and photo shoot with most of the field. The piece ends with Gutierrez saying the Today Show reached out to the “PGA” for comment and “have not heard back”.

The full feature and interview:

Golf icon Greg Norman is recovering after a harrowing struggle with COVID-19 that saw him hospitalized twice over the past week. @gabegutierrez reports. pic.twitter.com/4SIdIsWzoE

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 29, 2020