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SPORTS Wednesday 2 august 2023

Tiger Woods joins PGA Tour board and gives commissioner his

support as Saudi deal talks continue

By DOUG FERGUSON their best to make certain
AP Golf Writer that any changes that are
Tiger Woods has joined the made in tour operations
PGA Tour policy board for are in the best interest of all
the first time in his 27 years tour stakeholders.”
on tour, giving Commis- Woods thanked Monahan
sioner Jay Monahan key for agreeing to act on the
support as he rebuilds trust players’ concerns and said
while forging ahead with “we look forward to being
details of a business part- at the table with him to
nership with Saudi backers make the right decisions for
of LIV Golf. the future of the game.
Woods will become a sixth “He has my confidence
player director a year ago, moving forward with these
the PGA Tour had only four changes.”
players on its board as part Woods had been one of
of a broad agreement that the strongest opponents of
gives the players a greater LIV Golf and helped run a
voice and awareness of meeting of select players
any major deals going for- last August in Delaware to
ward. restructure the PGA Tour
The announcement Tues- model, geared toward
day is a response to the bringing the top players to-
PGA Tour having secret Tiger Woods watches on the 13th hole during the weather delayed third round of the Masters golf gether more often for $20
talks with the head of Saudi tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. million purses.
Arabia’s national wealth Associated Press While limited in his appear-
fund that led to a pro- players have outnumbered seeing players this week at “I am honored to repre- ances because of inju-
posed partnership that was the five independent direc- the Wyndham Champion- sent the players of the ries from a February 2021
announced in June and tors on the board. The 12th ship in Greensboro, North PGA Tour,” Woods said in car crash, Woods remains
stunned players who had board member is the PGA Carolina, for the first time a statement, his first public the most powerful voice
lined up behind the tour to of America president, John since he took a monthlong comments since the Saudi among players. He has
fend off the Saudi threat. Lindert. Equally critical to leave because of a medi- deal was announced. “This never served on the Play-
Woods, as the sixth player Monahan was the support cal situation. He returned to is a critical point for the er Advisory Council or the
director, marks the first time from Woods. Monahan is work two weeks ago. tour, and the players will do PGA Tour policy board. q

The Mets are trading 3-time Cy Young Award winner Justin

Verlander to the Astros, AP sources says

By KRISTIE RIEKEN and followed up Tuesday of those came with Hous- Series with Houston last sea- with the Rangers, which
AP Sports Writer by shedding Verlander, ton. He was first acquired son, then became a free returned top prospect Lui-
HOUSTON (AP) — The Hous- who they signed to an from the Detroit Tigers dur- agent. Verlander opened sangel Acuña, the younger
ton Astros are bringing $86.7 million, two-year con- ing the 2017 season, when the season on the injured brother of Atlanta Braves
back Justin Verlander, ac- tract in December. he helped pitch the Astros list and struggled upon his star Ronald Acuña Jr. It was
quiring the three-time Cy The 40-year-old Verlander to a World Series title. return. He’s recently been unclear if New York was
Young Award winner from earned his 250th career He won his third Cy Young back in top form, going 4-1 paying down any of Ver-
the New York Mets in a victory on Sunday, and 61 Award and second World with a 1.49 ERA in his past lander’s salary.
trade deadline blockbuster seven starts. He’s 6-5 with a Gilbert, 22, was a first-round
Tuesday, according to two 3.15 ERA in 16 starts overall pick by Houston in 2022
people with direct knowl- this season, striking out 81 in who ranks 68th on MLB.
edge of the agreement. 94 1/3 innings. com’s Top 100 prospect list.
The people spoke to The As- The Astros have won the He’s a potential five-tool
sociated Press on condition AL West in five of the past player who dominated at
of anonymity because the six seasons but currently Class A early this season
teams hadn’t announced trail the Texas Rangers by hitting .360 with a 1.107 OPS
the agreement. One of half a game. New York at before slumping after a de-
the people said the Astros one point had a projected motion to Double-A. He’s
were sending top outfield payroll of $365 million bol- hitting .241 with six homers
prospects Drew Gilbert and stered by billionaire owner and a .713 OPS in 60 games.
Ryan Clifford to New York. Steve Cohen, but the club The 20-year-old Clifford was
The underperforming Mets entered Tuesday 50-55 and an 11th-round selection in
are dismantling the most six games out of the final NL 2022 whose stock has risen
expensive roster in major wild-card spot. Cohen paid since. He’s hitting .291 with
league history. They dealt New York Mets’ Justin Verlander pitches during the first inning of off around $35 million re- 18 home runs and a .919
ace Max Scherzer to the a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, July maining on Scherzer’s con- OPS at two A-ball stops this
Texas Rangers on Sunday 25, 2023, in New York. tract to facilitate that deal season.q
Associated Press