Tiger Woods appears to be making amends with several of the LIV Golf stars he distanced himself from almost two years ago.
Woods, 48, reportedly spoke with longtime rival Phil Mickelson on the range ahead of the 152nd Open at Royal Troon this past week in Scotland. It was believed to be their first interaction in years.
Mickelson apparently wasn’t the only LIV golfer that Woods ended his silent treatment towards, though.
According to GolfDigest’s Alex Myers, Woods also congratulated 2024 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau on the Royal Troon range before The Open.
DeChambeau said it was their first communication since he left the PGA Tour in 2022.
“It is the first communication, but I’ll say he’s a competitor and I have a lot of respect for him,” DeChambeau said. “I’m sure that winning two U.S. Opens definitely helped, I guess, for him coming up and saying congrats.
“I don’t know what his position is, but it was very thoughtful, and I was appreciative of it.”
Bryson says he finally heard back from his longtime idol. 🙌
See more: https://t.co/oXqQpraa7b pic.twitter.com/n7M944YUHV
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) July 19, 2024
DeChambeau told Golfweek in March 2023 that Woods had cut off all communication after he defected to LIV Golf one year prior.
“Yeah, definitely, I’m sure you can guess who,” Bryson said when asked if he’d been cut off by any PGA Tour players.
He then confirmed that it was, indeed, Tiger.
“Yeah, I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus,” DeChambeau continued. “He’s been a great friend. I texted him on his birthday.”
Jul 18, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Bryson DeChambeau hits out of the rough on the 15th hole during the first round of the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon
© Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Woods and DeChambeau, unfortunately, posted similarly disappointing first and second rounds at the 2024 Open Championship.
Both players ultimately missed the cut.
Jul 19, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Tiger Woods on the 12th hole during the second round of the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon. Mandatory
Could Woods’ recent chats with Mickelson and DeChambeau lead to some progress on the LIV/PGA Tour merger front?
