Over $700 million isn’t enough to buy Tiger Woods’ loyalty to the PGA Tour and Greg Norman has learned that the hard way.
The dissident league commissioner confirmed in a Fox News interview that Woods turned down “an offer of between $700 million and $800 million” to join LIV Golf.
“Tiger has a gigantic impact. So, of course, you have to watch the best of the best. Originally, Tiger was approached before I became CEO, so, yeah, that number is somewhere in that neighborhood,” Norman said in an interview.
Woods has always firmly stated his opposition to the new league and this announcement from Norman further reiterates Woods’ loyalty to the circuit on which he has built his legacy throughout his career.
“With what these players are doing for the guaranteed money, where is the incentive to practice? Where is the incentive to work hard for merit? They are paid dearly in advance to play a few tournaments and only 54 holes. They play music at the top of their lungs and they have these atmospheres which are so different, ”Woods had snapped on the sidelines of the British Open.
“I don’t see how it can be positive for many players in the long run. »
During his career, Woods became the most prolific winner in PGA Tour history with 82 wins, tied with Sam Snead. 15 of his wins have come in major tournaments.
Woods has earned more than $120 million in prize money during his PGA career, the highest total in history. He is followed by Phil Mickelson’s $94.9 million.
In recent weeks, LIV Golf has signed several big names, including Bubba Watson and Henrik Stenson. Among the first players to join the circuit, the names of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Mickelson are the most popular. Lefty notably accepted an offer of $200 million to join the new league.
Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Henrik Stenson respectively won the first three tournaments in the history of the circuit, in London, Portland and Bedminster, New Jersey. The next competition will take place in Boston at the beginning of September.
