Tiger Woods has been approached by the organisers of a proposed Premier Golf League, but admits he is still trying to “figure it all out”. Under the proposals outlined in January by the World Golf Group, 48 players would compete in an 18-event season offering a total prize fund of $240m. The tournaments would be 54 holes rather than the traditional 72 and there would be an individual and team league format, with the weekly individual winner claiming $2m of the $10m purse. The PGA commissioner, Jay Monahan, has informed players that they would have to choose between the new series or the PGA Tour, with European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley following suit. Tiger Woods’s son can play but less clear is where things go from here Read more Woods was asked about the proposed league during the run up to this week’s Genesis Invitational in California. “Have I been personally approached? Yes, and my team’s been aware of it and have delved into the details of it and trying to figure it all out just like everyone else,” said Woods. “We’ve been down this road before with World Golf Championships and other events being started or other Tours wanting to evolve. “There’s a lot of information that we’re still looking at and whether it’s a reality or not – just like everybody else we’re looking into it. Just like all events you’re trying to get the top players to play more collectively. It’s one of the reasons why we instituted the World Golf Championships because we were only getting together about five times a year – the four majors and the Players [Championship[ – and we wanted to showcase the top players on more than just those occasions. “This is a natural evolution, whether things like this are going to happen...but ideas like this are going to happen going forward, whether it’s now or any other time in the future.” The 44-year-old was also asked about an announcement last week by golf’s governing bodies that they intend to break the “ever-increasing cycle of hitting distance”. The USGA and R&A will assess the potential of a “local rule” which would allow tournament committees to “specify use of clubs and/or balls intended to result in shorter hitting distances” for players. “The game has evolved and changed and we’re running out of property trying to design courses that are 7,800 to 8,000 yards,” said Woods. “It’s difficult but on top of that we want to keep the game so enjoyable. We’re trying to get more participation and having the larger heads, more forgiving clubs, it adds to the enjoyment of the game so there’s a very delicate balancing act.” As 2020 begins… … we’re asking readers, like you, to make a new year contribution in support of the Guardian’s open, independent journalism. This has been a turbulent decade across the world – protest, populism, mass migration and the escalating climate crisis. The Guardian has been in every corner of the globe, reporting with tenacity, rigour and authority on the most critical events of our lifetimes. At a time when factual information is both scarcer and more essential than ever, we believe that each of us deserves access to accurate reporting with integrity at its heart. You’ve read 20 articles in the last four months. More people than ever before are reading and supporting our journalism, in more than 180 countries around the world. And this is only possible because we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We have upheld our editorial independence in the face of the disintegration of traditional media – with social platforms giving rise to misinformation, the seemingly unstoppable rise of big tech and independent voices being squashed by commercial ownership. The Guardian’s independence means we can set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. Our journalism is free from commercial and political bias – never influenced by billionaire owners or shareholders. This makes us different. It means we can challenge the powerful without fear and give a voice to those less heard. None of this would have been attainable without our readers’ generosity – your financial support has meant we can keep investigating, disentangling and interrogating. It has protected our independence, which has never been so critical. We are so grateful. As we enter a new decade, we need your support so we can keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. And that is here for the long term. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Support The Guardian from as little as $1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.