Jordan Spieth refutes report Patrick Cantlay 'controls' PGA Tour talks with PIF - ESPN

Jordan Spieth dispelled the notion he is part of an alliance with Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay on the PGA Tour board as the deadline nears for the tour to finalize its framework agreement with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf, who have lured away Masters champion Jon Rahm.

Sports Illustrated reported the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia indicated it was willing to not only pump $2 billion into the proposed commercial deal as part of the June 6 agreement, but an additional $1 billion equalization pool for PGA Tour players who turned down LIV's lucrative offers.

It also said Cantlay had seized control and was driving the negotiations with Woods and Spieth as part of an alliance to protect the interests of top players. Spieth recently was appointed to finish the board term of Rory McIlroy, who resigned last month and who often sparred with Cantlay.

«There's no fact to it,» Spieth told The Associated Press by phone on Friday. «It's been very collective since I've jumped on. It's not even a thing. We're looking for the best outcome for the players as a whole, and it's six persons [as player directors].»

The tour has until Dec. 31 to finalize its agreement with the PIF. The agreement, announced June 6, said the deadline could be extended if both sides agree, although PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said last week Dec. 31 was a «firm target.»

The agent for Woods declined to comment. Cantlay chose not to speak publicly except to say he is guided by a responsibility to represent the entire membership.

Cantlay, who won the FedEx Cup in 2021 and was voted PGA Tour player of the year, is an intellect who can come across as aloof. He stood out at the Ryder Cup for not wearing a hat amid reports it was a protest for not