YOU CAN’T SEE THE WOODS FOR THE TREES!

Tiger struggles again but is hopeful LIV civil war has taken a ‘positive’ step forward after talks last month... but still no deal

TIGER WOODS has revealed last month’s peace talks with PIF boss Yasir Al-rumayyan were “positive” for the future of golf – and the 15-time Major winner said: “We’re headed in the right direction.”

Saudi-backed LIV Golf started a civil war in the sport in 2022 by signing top stars, like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, for the breakaway league.

And Woods was among its most vocal critics, stating at The Open in St Andrews: “What they’ve done is they’ve turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position.”

But a shock “framework agreement” was announced on June 6 last year with the aim of striking a deal for the Saudis to invest in a new for-profit PGA Tour.

Rory Mcilroy has called for the sport to be reunited since the December signing of his

Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm.

And Woods joined other members of the PGA Tour Policy Board – with Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati and Webb Simpson – to negotiate with Newcastle chairman Al-rumayyan (above) in the Bahamas.

And speaking about the meeting for the first time after his final round at the Masters, the American said: “I don’t know if we’re closer to a deal, but certainly we’re headed in the right direction.

“That was a very positive meeting and both sides came away from the meeting feeling positive.”

Obstacles to any deal are the role of the LIV Golf team format in any new golf calendar and how to compensate PGA Tour loyalists who declined to sign for the Saudibacked breakaway league.

Greg Norman, who was in Augusta this week, claimed Woods was offered “mind-blowingly enormous” money to join LIV. The

Strategic Sports Group, which includes Liverpool owners Fenway Sports, has also agreed a potential $3billion investment in a new for-profit PGA Tour company which is valued at $14bn.

As Woods’ playing career draws to a close, he is set to play an increasing role in golf politics and is in talks with the PGA of America to become the 2025 Ryder Cup captain at Bethpage Black.

Yesterday, the five-time champion (with son Charlie, below) wore his traditional last-day colour in his new clothing line, New Sun Day Red – but his game is not the same.

After shooting his worstever Major score with an 82 in the third round, the world No.959 shot a closing 77 in his 100th round at the Masters to finish on 16-over par and bottom of the players who played the weekend. Woods, 48, made the cut for a record 24th consecutive time but ran out of steam in the final two rounds in only his second event of the year. After getting up at 3.45am to do his warm-up for this 9.35am tee off, he was outscored by US Amateur runner-up Neal Shipley, who shot a 73 to finish on 12-over par.

With sweat dripping off his brow in a post-round press call restricted to five questions, Woods said: “It was a good week all around.

“Coming in here, not having played a full tournament in a very long time, it was a good fight on Thursday and Friday.

“Unfortunately, yesterday, it didn’t quite turn out the way I wanted it to.”

Shipley, 23, said: “We were chatting. He was awesome. Wish him nothing but the best.” Woods now plans to play the next three Majors this season. “I’m going to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst, Valhalla and Troon, but that’s kind of the game plan,” he added.

“I heard there’s some changes at the next couple sites. So got to get up there early and check them out.”