TIGER ROR Rory McIlroy makes incredible gesture to Tiger Woods for joining the PGA Tour’s policy board

RORY McILROY heaped praise on Tiger Woods for joining the PGA Tour’s policy board.

Woods has assumed the role amid anger from players regarding the proposed deal between the sport’s two rival factions — LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.

McIlroy and Woods have been the biggest advocates of the established tours in their battle with LIV Golf.

But they were kept in the dark before the shock announcement of a deal between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, who bankroll LIV.

Masters champion Jon Rahm said players felt a sense of ‘betrayal’ that the deal was negotiated in secret, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan facing calls to resign.

But Woods becoming a player-director of the PGA Tour means the new board will be made up of six player-directors, five independent directors and the PGA of America director.

And McIlroy, who is also on the policy board with Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Charley Hoffman and Peter Malnati, said: “It’s great.

“He is the player that has left the biggest legacy on the game over the last 20 years.

“For him to be involved in the discussions around the future of professional golf is very important. Tiger has stepped up for all of us.

“I think he realises all the players on the policy board are trying to play regular golf and navigate all these different things as well so he’s got a bit more time than we do.

“So for him to step up and sort of take a little bit of the load off us is very much appreciated.”

McIlroy was speaking at a press conference ahead of this week’s FedEx St Jude Championship as he bids to win the overall FedEx Cup title for a fourth time.

And the 34-year-old has brought an old putter out of his garage to use at Southwind in a bid to overhaul Masters champ Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler.

Yet, the Ryder Cup is also on his mind after his place in Europe’s squad was officially confirmed yesterday.

But the Holywood native’s preparation could get a little messy.

After the PGA Tour season finishes, McIlroy will return to Europe for the Irish Open at the K Club and then the BMW PGA Championship.

But he revealed: “I’ve got a buddy’s bachelor party in Mykonos after Wentworth and then I have a few days to dry out before the Ryder Cup.”