PGA Tour player director Webb Simpson has risked the wrath of Tiger Woods by calling for the North American circuit to strike a deal with LIV’s backers.

PGA Tour player director Webb Simpson has given an explosive interview which will almost certainly grab Tiger Woods’ attention. 

Simpson, who is in the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, has called for the PGA Tour to strike a deal with LIV’s backers.

Ominously, Simpson warned the writing is on the wall, adding: “We need to do a deal for the good of the game.”

Simpson’s comments will no doubt attract attention from the aforementioned Woods.

Woods, 48, was recently named as the vice chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises.

Last June’s framework agreement between golf’s established tours and the PIF resulted in the creation of the for-profit entity.

Earlier this year, Strategic Sports Goup invested $1.5bn into the company and it begged the question: what about PIF involvement?

High-profile players such as Woods and Jordan Spieth have suggested the PGA Tour may not need PIF money.

Simpson disagreed in his interview with Golf Channel.

He explained:
“I think we’re in a position where we want to do the right deal.

“We don’t want to just do a deal because we’re afraid that the LIV tour might recruit more players.

“That’s certainly a fear.

“But I think it’s obvious [we need to do a deal]. The writing is on the wall.

“We’re not in a position where we need to do a deal for money. We need to do a deal for the good of the game.

“And for the health of the PGA Tour long-term. That’s my hope.

“One thing I’m certain of is fans, players, media, sponsors alike all feel strongly that the game is divided.

“The game has been divided for a year and a half now.

“The game misses the personalities of LIV.

“I think the game misses the personalities of LIV and the PGA Tour playing together.”

Simpson, 38, also told the publication that he’s unsure what the end game is for LIV/PIF.

World number two Rory McIlroy has previously stated he met with LIV’s chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, in Dubai to try and get an answer out of the powerful Saudi businessman.

McIlroy has since resigned from the policy board and was replaced by Spieth.

Simpson also stated that no PGA Tour player director has communicated directly with PIF officials.

“We probably should have talked to them already,” he conceded.