Tiger Woods praises Rory McIlroy for role in PGA Tour conflict with LIV Golf

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Tiger Woods described Rory McIlroy as a 'true leader' following his calls for Greg Norman to quit as LIV Golf CEO to allow a settlement to be negotiated in golf’s civil war

Tiger Woods says Rory McIlroy has proven himself to be a "true leader" amid golf's ongoing civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. 

McIlroy, who is the chairman of the PGA Tour's player advisory council, has repeatedly spoken candidly amid the ongoing controversy caused by the emergence of the Saudi-funded breakaway LIV circuit.

Woods on Tuesday backed McIlroy's suggestion that the two organisations could come to an agreement - and drop their lawsuits against each other - if chief executive Greg Norman were to leave LIV.

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• Smith: McIlroy called to try and convince me against joining LIV

"What Rory has said and done are what leaders do," Woods said of his McIlroy, who currently sits atop the world rankings.

"Rory is a true leader out here on Tour.

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Rory McIlroy says Greg Norman needs to step down from his position as LIV Golf CEO immediately because golf's tours need an 'adult in the room' to help end their feud

"The fact that he's actually able to get the things he said out in the public eye, be so clear-minded with it and so eloquent with it, meanwhile go out there and win golf tournaments on top of that, people have no idea how hard that is to do, to be able to separate those two things."

Despite failing to add to his haul of four major titles, McIlroy finished in the top 10 at all four majors in 2022, narrowly missing out as runner-up at The Masters in April before coming third at The Open at St Andrews in July.

"He's been fantastic," Woods added.

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Tiger Woods has called for Greg Norman to quit as LIV Golf CEO to allow a peace settlement to be negotiated in golf's civil war

"He's a great leader in our calls we make and he's a great leader with all the players out here.

"Everyone respects him and they respect him because not just his ball-striking, his driving, but the person he is."

Woods: I tested negative for Covid-19 at The Open

Woods also addressed comments McIlroy made earlier this week in which the Northern Irishman said he thought he had given the 15-time major champion Covid-19 ahead of The Open.

In an interview with Ireland's Sunday Independent, McIlroy revealed he had fallen unwell during the JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland that preceded The Open, and that Woods, who he had been spending time with, also suffered symptoms of ill health.

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Tiger Woods made an emotional walk down the 18th hole at St Andrews to a standing ovation after missing the cut at the 150th Open Championship

McIlroy didn't confirm whether he had tested positive for Covid-19, but said he didn't have any taste during The Open.

Woods admitted he didn't feel well, but said he returned a negative result after taking a test.

"I got tested," Woods said. "I was always negative.

"I was feeling under the weather, yes, wasn't feeling great the whole week, but I never got a positive test."

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