Tiger Woods admits his role on the PGA Tour’s policy board is as crucial as his pursuit of a record-breaking 83rd title on the American-based circuit. Woods participated in just his third event of the season at this week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. 

However, it was a forgettable experience for the 15-time major champion, who shot seven-over-par across his two rounds and missed the 36-hole cut by a significant margin.

In recent years, Woods has adopted a part-time playing schedule and taken on additional responsibilities off the course, including becoming a Tour player director and assisting with peace negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) over a potential merger with LIV Golf. 

Following his missed cut on Friday, questions were raised about whether his off-course role was impacting his performance on the green. However, Woods is determined to maintain focus on both areas, stating they are of equal importance.

“They’re both equally important to me,” said the three-time U.S. PGA winner said. “Playing and my responsibilities as a player director, whether it’s on policy board or it’s on the enterprise board.

“All three are important in their own different ways. Different ways that, one, for me playing for pride and what I can do out here, but also off the golf course the impact and responsibility that I have as a player director. As a representative of the players and what I can do off the golf course to help this tour.”

Opening up on the added toll his policy board takes on his life, Woods went on: “Well, if you ask any of the player directors, we just don’t sleep much. There’s a lot of late nights and zoom calls at odd hours of the night.”

“All throughout the night, and lots of e-mails to read. These are all things that I signed up for as a player director and ways that I can help, and hopefully I can make that impact and we’ve done that so far, and hopefully we can make more of an impact.”

Although there were glimmers of the old Woods across two rounds, ultimately the rust of his game proved costly in Kentucky. The former world No. 1 completed only nine PGA Tour events in two years, having only finished all 72 holes four times.

Emphasising that he needs to participate in more Tour golf to regain competitiveness, he declared: “I need to play more.”

“Unfortunately, I just haven’t played a whole lot of tournaments, and not a whole lot of tournaments on my schedule either. Hopefully everything will somehow come together in my practice sessions at home and be ready for Pinehurst. The 48 year old is set to return during next month’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst.”