Tiger Woods turned down Greg Norman’s offer to join the Saudi-funded LIV golf series for $700 million to $800 million “somewhere in that neighborhood.”
During a Fox News appearance with Tucker Carlson that aired Monday night, Norman confirmed what he told The Washington Post in a story two months ago. The offer was “amazingly huge. We’re talking top nine figures.”
Woods has been against LIV Golf since late last year, and he was most vocal when he said at the British Open that players funded by Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund had “turned their backs” on the PGA Tour. made a strong comment. they are famous.
It was not clear when the offer for Woods was made.
“Those numbers were out before I became CEO. said in an interview.
“And, voila, Tiger moves dizzyingly. Of course, you have to see the best of the best,” Norman said. “I mean, they approached Tiger before I became CEO. So yes, the number was somewhere in that neighborhood.”
According to various reports from the UK, Phil Mickelson received a $200 million signing bonus while Dustin Johnson received $150 million. His 48-man field, in which he plays 54 holes without cuts, offers him $25 million in prize money in each event. Norman has announced his 14-tournament schedule for next year.
No. 18 Johnson is currently the only LIV golf player in the world’s top 20.
The funding source is seen as an attempt to divert attention away from the human rights record and links to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, leading to sharp criticism of the series and enlisted players.
“I don’t know,” Norman said bluntly when asked why the rival tour had caused such an uproar among American golf fans.
“I really don’t care,” said Norman. “I love golf and want to grow the game of golf.At LIV, we see opportunities for women as well as men.”
The LIV Golf Invitational takes a month off during the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, returning to play about an hour west of Boston on Labor Day weekend and playing outside Chicago two weeks later.
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