Tiger Woods makes case for PGA Tour as rift with Phil Mickelson continues over LIV Golf Series comments

Tiger Woods has defended the “legacy” of the PGA Tour following Phil Mickelson’s comments over the breakaway Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

The US PGA Championship champion will not defend his title at this month’s tournament having stepped back from golf in February, when his criticism of the PGA was poorly-received by a number of parties in the sport.

And Woods has described Mickelson’s view as “polarising” in his defence of the tour.

“He has his opinion on where he sees the game of golf going,” Woods told reporters.

“I have my viewpoint how I see the game of golf. I’ve supported the Tour and my foundation has run events on the Tour for a number of years. I just think that what Jack [Nicklaus] and Arnold [Palmer] have done in starting the Tour, breaking away from the PGA of America and creating our tour in 1968 - I just think there’s a legacy to that.

“I’ve been playing out here for a couple of decades and I think there’s a legacy do it. I still think that the Tour has so much to offer, so much opportunity.

“I understand different viewpoints but I believe in legacies. I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. There’s plenty of money out here. The Tour is growing.

“But it’s just like any other sport. It’s like tennis. You have to go out there and earn it. You’ve got to go out there and play for it. We have opportunity to go ahead and do it. It’s just not guaranteed up front.”