Tiger Woods has joined a PGA steering committee for the first time in his 27-year career, providing key support to commissioner Jay Monahan and a bigger voice for players as the Tour seeks to seal its business partnership with the circuit LIV, supported by Saudi funds.

Monahan said Woods becomes the committee’s sixth player. This is the first time that players have outnumbered the committee’s five independent directors.

Tuesday’s announcement comes at a crucial time for the Tour and for Monahan, who has arranged private meetings with Saudi point guards and two PGA board members to collaborate with the rival Tour.

Woods was one of the people most strongly opposed to an association with LIV Golf thus far and he helped organize a meeting between a few players last year in Delaware to restructure the operation of the PGA.

In a statement, Woods said the players will do everything in their power to ensure that any changes to PGA Tour operations are made in everyone’s best interests. He thanked Monahan for listening to players’ concerns.

“He now has my vote of confidence on the changes,” Woods said.

Woods has always had an important voice among players even though he was never on the PGA Players’ Council or the management committee. His opinion was often respected and heard, often privately, by Monahan or his predecessor, Tim Finchem.