Tiger Woods rejected a “mind-blowingly enormous” payday to join the breakaway LIV Golf invitational series, says Greg Norman.
Following the confirmation of Phil Mickelson’s inclusion in the rebel tour this morning AEST, it’s been revealed the golf icon was also offered a huge sum to join LIV but turned down the massive offer.
Even though Mickelson still intends to feature at the year’s remaining majors, he signed on with Norman for a deal worth $278 million to be the most high-profile signing in the tour’s inaugural year, which tees off later this week.
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Yet Norman had Woods in his sights as his “Plan A” to be the biggest drawcard for the newly established series, and was willing to stump up big to get him.
Speaking to The Washington Post, Norman said the figure was astronomical but Woods still said no.
“Mind-blowingly enormous,” said Norman of the size of the offer. “We’re talking about high nine digits.”
Nine-digit deals are par for the course for LIV Golf, which reportedly offered $100 million to Jack Nicklaus before offering the CEO position to Norman, and has already handed the likes of Dustin Johnson a reported $175 million for signing on, in addition to Mickelson’s big deal. However, it’s understood the pitch to Tiger was much bigger, with reports claiming it was north of $1 billion (AUD).
Norman has reportedly been given a war chest of more than $4 billion (AUD) for the LIV series – and it appears he was willing to part with a huge wedge of the budget on Woods.
Before play teed off at Southern Hills last month, Woods addressed the rebel tour and Mickelson’s alienating comments which put several of his colleagues and those at the PGA Tour offside.
“Phil has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the Tour — and committed to the legacy of the Tour — have pushed back against,” Woods said.
“But as we all know, as a professional, we miss him being out here. I mean, he’s a big draw for the game of golf.
“He’s just taking his time and we all wish him the best when he comes back… I have not reached out to him. I have not spoken with him. I have a completely different stance on [the PGA Tour operations] … and so no, I have not reached out to him.”
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