Back on the golf course, Tiger Woods (USA) is optimistic about the pending merger of the U.S. Professional Golf (PGA) Tour and the LIV Golf League.

According to AFP and the Associated Press, Woods held a press conference at the Albany Golf Course in the Bahamas, the site of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament, to explain the status of the merger agreement between the PGA Tour and the LIV League.

“I’m confident that we’ll get a deal done one way or another, even if it’s past the Dec. 31 deadline,” said Woods, who is one of six players who make up the PGA Tour’s policy committee.

“We’re looking at all the options and figuring out what the best deal is for the players. There are a lot of moving parts to that,” he added.

Woods expressed strong dissatisfaction with the announcement in June that the PGA Tour and LIV planned to merge, which was made without the knowledge of the majority of players.

“I was very frustrated with that, and I’ve taken steps forward to make sure that I’m on the board and that the players are not marginalized,” Woods said.

As for his schedule for next season, Woods said, “I think the best and ideal scenario would be to play a tournament a month,” adding that the Genesis Invitational (in February) would probably be the first one.

He added that he plans to play one more tournament right before the Players Championship in March.

Woods, who underwent ankle surgery after competing in the Masters in April, will return to action this week in the Bahamas.

Woods will tee off in the first round against Justin Thomas (USA) at 1:52 a.m. ET on Dec. 1.

The Tiger Woods Foundation is hosting the 20-man field for the four-day event with a total purse of $4.5 million ($5.8 billion – $1 million winner’s share).

“I need to be ready for this tournament,” Woods said, “and I think this week is a ‘big step’ in that direction.” 토토사이트