Tiger Woods Foundation Eyes Role With Riviera Stop?

Doug Ferguson reports that the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is based in Southern California and is home to the first Learning Center, is in talks to be more involved with the Riviera PGA Tour stop.

The event transitions from Northern Trust to Hyundai as sponsor in 2017. Woods last played Riviera in 2006.

Woods' foundation also is primary charity of the Deutsche Bank Championship, though Deutsche Bank is not expected to renew its sponsorship after this year.

The announcement about Hyundai becoming title sponsor at Riviera starting in 2017 did not include what the tournament will be called, and any discussions about getting Woods' foundation involved are not expected to progress until after this year's Northern Trust Open.

The move would not be without awkward repercussions. The City of Hope has become the charitable beneficiary and is a highly respected local charity. Then there is Woods' bizarre disdain for the event after his dreadful last start here. While his foundation shouldn't be punished for the actions of its founder, casting aside the current charity should be handled with care.

On the positive side, have more local presence operationally and corporately is largely what the event currently lacks. The PGA Tour's Championship Management has upgraded many elements of an event that was in decline, but the lack of a stronger local market grasp has been evident with overpricing that has led to some shocking attendance numbers. Of course today, Tuesday, there were no spectators on site because the course is closed to the public to save a few bucks on shuttle buses.

Here's guessing a young Tiger and his pops attended a few times on a Tuesday to study players pre-tournament. Maybe we'll get a chance to ask Tiger that if he's involved with the Riviera stop.