Golf

Tiger Woods calls for Greg Norman to quit as LIV Golf CEO

Tournament host to miss Hero World Challenge due to foot injury

Tiger Woods will miss the Hero World Challenge. Photograph: Steve Grayson/Getty
Tiger Woods will miss the Hero World Challenge. Photograph: Steve Grayson/Getty
Tue Nov 29 2022 - 15:46

Tiger Woods has echoed Rory McIlroy’s call for Greg Norman to quit as LIV Golf CEO to allow a peace settlement to be negotiated in golf’s civil war.

McIlroy and Woods have been the biggest supporters of the established tours in their battle with the Saudi-funded breakaway circuit, but McIlroy recently called for a compromise to be reached between the rival factions.

The world number one feels that will be impossible if Norman remains at the helm of LIV Golf and Woods made it clear he feels the same way.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Hero World Challenge, Woods said: “There is an opportunity out there if both organisations put a stay on their litigation. That’s the problem.

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“There is no willingness to negotiate if you have litigation against you. I think Greg has to go first of all.

“I don’t know what their end game is. It might be just being an official member of the golf ecosystem and being recognised with World Ranking Points.

“They’ve spent probably close to $2 billion this year. Who’s to say they can’t spend $4 or $5 billion next year? You know, we just don’t know. It’s an endless pit of money,” added Woods, who will skip this week’s Albany Golf Course event in the Bahamas with a foot injury that makes it difficult for him to walk.

The 15-times major winner has not competed since missing the cut at the British Open in July.

“I can hit whatever shot you want, I just can’t walk,” he said

The tournament begins Thursday at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas. Woods has hosted it since 2000.

"I've developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot, which is making it difficult to walk," Woods posted to Twitter on Monday. "After consulting with my doctors and trainers, I have decided to withdraw this week and focus on my hosting duties."

Woods was replaced in the field by Sepp Straka.

Woods said he still intends to compete in The Match on December 10th and the PNC Championship later in the month.

The Match will be played at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida., and Woods will partner with World No. 1 Rory McIlroy against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

The following week, Woods is due to partner with his 13-year-old son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship, marking their third appearance in the tournament.

The event, to be held December 15th-18th at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, is for reigning and past winners of either a major or The Players championship and a family member. The Woods pairing finished in second place last December, two shots behind John Daly and his son, John Daly II.

The elder Woods returned to competitive golf at the 2021 PNC Championship, just 10 months following a serious car crash. He played a limited 2022 schedule and hasn’t competed since The Open Championship in July.