Rory McIlroy: Tiger Woods' Presence on PGA Tour Policy Board 'Has Been Felt Already'

Tiger Woods has not wasted any time since being named to the PGA Tour's policy board.

Rory McIlroy said Woods has hit the ground running since being added to the board earlier this month.

"Tiger being on the board, I think it's meaningful that he's on it, that he's engaged," McIlroy said, per Evin Priest of Golf Digest. "He's certainly been spending more time on it than I have. He's been talking to some people. He's been talking to a lot of people. He's really engaged in just trying to get the best outcome for the players on the PGA Tour. I think his difference has been felt already. His presence on there will only continue to grow as we head towards that December 31st deadline."

Woods was named to the policy board this month as part of sweeping changes to the game demanded by players amid the PGA Tour's pending merger with LIV Golf. The addition of Woods gives players six members of the board versus the five non-player members, which are comprised of business and law experts and the PGA Tour of America director.

Players threatened to nix the planned merger with LIV Golf without these changes after negotiations between the competing tours went on behind closed doors and without player consultation. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has been at the center of controversy since the merger announcement, with some players calling him a hypocrite.

Monahan had been the biggest proponent of the PGA Tour as a standalone force and implored high-profile players to not defect to the Saudi-funded LIV tour. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will be the primary financial backer of the combined league if the deal closes in December.

Woods not being an active player likely gives him more time to focus on behind-the-scenes machinations. He has not played in a tournament since the Masters in April, whereas the remainder of the player policy board members are actively competing every week.