According to CEO Greg Norman, Tiger Woods turned down a $700–$800 million offer to play in the LIV Golf series, which is sponsored by Saudi Arabia.
Former No. 1 golfer Greg Norman was questioned by Fox News’ Tucker Carlson regarding the veracity of Woods’ claim that he turned down an offer in that price range. Norman acknowledged that the plan was in that range even though he claimed the amount was from before he became CEO.
“Look, Tiger’s a needle mover, right?” he said in an interview that aired Sunday. “So, of course, you’re going to look at the best of the best. They had originally approached Tiger before I became CEO, so, yes, that number is somewhere in that neighborhood.”
The Washington Post said that Woods declined a “high nine digits” invitation to participate in the first LIV Golf circuit when he attained billionaire status in June.
Since the league began play this summer, it has been dogged by scandal. It stole top players off the PGA Tour, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka, and gave them astronomical membership fees and large victory prizes. The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who U.S. intelligence agencies determined in 2018 gave the go-ahead for the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, is a supporter of LIV Golf.
Last week, former President Donald Trump hosted a LIV Golf tournament at his club in New Jersey, drawing criticism from the families of 9/11 victims. Even the families of the 9/11 terrorist attacks ran an advertisement that read, “I am never going to forgive the golfers for receiving this blood money.”
Australian golfer Greg Norman responded, “I don’t know,” when questioned by Carlson why his tour has been “offensive” to American golf fans.
“I really don’t care,” he said. “I just love the game so much and I want to grow the game of golf.”