Rory, Tiger unaware of PGA TOUR merger with Saudi PIF until Tuesday

Tiger Woods has been the face of golf since he burst onto the scene in the mid-1990s. Rory McIlroy has arguably been the sport's most visible player over the past 15 years and is currently one of the player directors on the PGA TOUR policy board.

Despite those two playing a major role in shaping the current structure of the PGA TOUR, both were unaware of the TOUR's stunning decision to partner with the owners of LIV Golf, the Saudi Public Investment Firm, until it happened on Tuesday morning.

Commissioner Jay Monahan reasoned on a call with reporters that because the deal announced on Tuesday is a framework agreement, no players were told, including the superstar duo.

Woods and McIlroy had very prominent roles in the exclusive meeting in Delaware last summer between 20 of the best players on the PGA TOUR. That meeting set the framework, format, and schedule for this season on the circuit, with the designated events playing a large role.

McIlroy has largely been the spokesperson for the PGA TOUR in the last year, with the four-time major winner answering countless questions about the rival circuit almost weekly while Monahan stayed out of view.

Woods has also been outspoken against LIV, admitting that CEO Greg Norman had to be removed before any talks of peace between the two tours could commence.

There are plenty of details still to be worked out before it becomes official, but the fact the two biggest names in the sport were kept in the dark until the last minute shows how secretive the plans were throughout the process.