Tiger Woods Turned Down $700m-$800m To Join LIV - Greg Norman
The 15-time Major winner is said to have turned down an offer somewhere in the region of $700m-$800m to join LIV Golf
Tiger Woods turned down an offer between $700m-$800m to join LIV Golf, Greg Norman has confirmed.
The 15-time Major winner's fee is some $500m more than the number reported to have lured Phil Mickelson over to the series, but Woods has remained loyal to the PGA Tour. Norman confirmed that the offer had been made prior to him becoming LIV Golf's CEO.
“That number was out there before I became CEO. So that number has been out there, yes,” Norman told Fox News at the LIV Golf Bedminster Invitational, with the interview airing on Tucker Carlson Tonight on Monday evening.
“And, look, Tiger is a needle-mover and of course you have to look at 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.”
Norman revealed in June in an interview with the Washington Post how Woods' representatives were pitched the LIV Golf model and the 15-time Major winner was offered a deal that was "mind-blowingly enormous," saying "we're talking about high nine digits."
VIDEO: THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT TIGER WOODS
Woods is a staunch supporter of the PGA Tour and delivered a savage verdict on LIV during the 150th Open, criticising the format and how it may lead to golfers not working as hard as previously.
"I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position," Woods said of the players who had left the PGA Tour.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"But what these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practise? What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt? You're just getting paid a lot of money up front and playing a few events and playing 54 holes," he said. "They're playing blaring music and have all these atmospheres that are different."
"I can understand 54 holes is almost like a mandate when you get to the Senior Tour. The guys are little bit older and a little more banged up. But when you're at this young age and some of these kids - they really are kids who have gone from amateur golf into that organisation - 72-hole tests are part of it."
Woods missed the cut at the 150th Open and is likely to play again either at his Hero World Challenge event in December or early next year in the lead up to The Masters.
A pleasure sitting down with @TuckerCarlson at @LIVGolfInv Bedminster. Thank you for having me on mate. https://t.co/rlqPBvTM4wAugust 2, 2022
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Bettinardi MB24 Iron Review
One of two brand-new iron releases from Bettinardi, Joe Ferguson takes a look at the MB24 model...
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Bettinardi CB24 Iron Review
Bettinardi has released its first-ever irons to market, and in this review we take a look at the CB24
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
One of the most lucrative events of the season takes place at Bay Hill as Kurt Kitayama defends his title
By Mike Hall Published
-
Seminole Pro-Member Results: How Did Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, And Justin Thomas Fare?
PGA Tour member Mackenzie Hughes claimed the 'gross' title alongside partner, Frank Edwards while Erik van Rooyen and John Pinkham secured the 'net' prize at Seminole Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tiger Woods Confirmed For Surprise Start In Event He's Never Played Before
The 15-time Major winner will tee it up in Florida alongside the likes of Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
When And Where Could Tiger Woods Play Next?
The 15-time Major winner had previously mentioned he is aiming to play around a tournament a month - so where could he tee it up next?
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Why Did Tiger Woods Withdraw From The Genesis Invitational? The 15-Time Major Winner (And His Agent) Explain...
Woods was making his eagerly-anticipated first full PGA Tour start of 2024 at the Genesis Invitational in southern California
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Masters Field 2024... And How They Qualified
Jon Rahm defends his title in a field packed with some of the best players from the past and present
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Has Caddied For Tiger Woods Throughout His Career?
From Mike Cowan to Steve Williams, the 15-time Major winner has utilized a handful of caddies throughout his long and successful career
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tiger Woods' New Caddie May Be With Him For The Players And The Masters
Lance Bennett - who is the former looper of Matt Kuchar and Sungjae Im - is expected to caddie for Tiger Woods at the upcoming Genesis Invitational
By Jonny Leighfield Published