Tiger Woods Turns Down Huge Saudi Appearance Fee Again

Woods has once again turned down around £2.5m just to tee it up in Saudi

Tiger Woods Turns Down Huge Saudi Appearance Fee Again
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Woods has said no to around $3m just to tee it up in the Saudi International next month

Tiger Woods Turns Down Huge Saudi Appearance Fee Again

Tiger Woods has once again been asked to play in the Saudi International and once again the 15-time Major winner has declined.

And that's even after being offered "in the neighbourhood of $3 million" for just turning up, according to an ESPN report.

The Masters champion turned down the inaugural event last year after being offered a very similar figure.

Those figures are the largest he has ever been offered for an overseas event, with the PGA Tour not handing out appearance fees.

Woods has regularly played in events in Dubai, Turkey and China in the past, however teeing it up in Saudi is not on his radar.

"I just don't want to go over there," Woods said.

"It's a long way."

Woods was speaking at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas this week where he was asked about the event, specifically after Phil Mickelson's attendance was confirmed.

"I understand the politics behind it," Woods said.

"But also the game of golf can help heal a lot of that, too. It can help grow it.

"And also a lot of top players are going to be playing there that particular week.

"It's traditionally not a golf hotbed, the Middle East. But it has grown quite a bit."

Mickelson is missing the Waste Management Phoenix Open next year for the first time in 30 years to play in Saudi.

He is likely receiving a hefty fee himself and defended his decision to play after being criticised on Twitter.

"After turning down opportunities to go to the Middle East for many years, I’m excited to go play and see a place in the world I’ve never been. I understand those who are upset or disappointed. You’ll be ok. I’m excited to experience this for the first time," Lefty said.

The second Saudi International takes place between Jan 30th - Feb 3rd.

Dustin Johnson returns to defend the title along with the likes of Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

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