Tiger Woods has rejected an offer that Greg Norman said was “somewhere in the neighborhood” of US$700 million to US$800 million to participate in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Series.
During an appearance on Fox News with Tucker Carlson that aired Monday night, Norman confirmed what he told the Washington Post in a story two months ago. Norman told the Post in June that the offer was “mind-bogglingly huge; we’re talking high nine figures.”
Woods has been opposed to LIV Golf since late last year and he made his strongest comments yet at the British Open when he said players who took money funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund had “turned their backs” on the PGA Tour , who made you famous.
It was not clear when the offer was made to Woods.
“That number was there before I became CEO. So that number was there, yeah,” Norman said in an interview with Fox News that took place Sunday at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey, where the third LIV Golf Invitational was held.
“And, look, Tiger is a needle, and of course you have to watch the best of the best,” Norman said. “So they had originally approached Tiger before I became CEO. So, yes, that number was somewhere in that neighborhood.”
Various reports from the UK say that Phil Mickelson received a $200 million signing bonus, while Dustin Johnson received $150 million. The 48-man fields, which play 54 holes straight, offer $25 million in prize money for each event. Norman announced a 14-tournament schedule for next year.
LIV Golf currently has just one player – No. 18 Johnson – in the world’s top 20.
The source of funding has led to sharp criticism of the series and the players who have become involved because it is seen as an attempt to distract attention from its human rights record and links to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
When asked why his rival tour caused such a stir among American golf fans, Norman answered flatly: “I don’t know.”
“I really don’t care,” Norman said. “I just love the game so much and I want to grow the game of golf and we at LIV see this opportunity not just for men but for women as well.”
The LIV Golf Invitational takes a month off during the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, returning on Labor Day weekend about an hour west of Boston, then two weeks later playing in the Chicago suburbs.
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