Tiger Woods rejected a “mind-blowingly enormous” offer to join golf’s Saudi-backed rebel tour, with Greg Norman revealing an audacious nine-figure bid to land the sport’s biggest name.
Norman is the public face of LIV Golf Investment’s hugely lucrative, breakaway series of tournaments which have divided golf and challenged the supremacy of the PGA Tour.
Speaking to the Washington Post, Norman confirmed LIV Golf Investment’s exorbitant proposal to Woods, suggesting the former World No 1 turned down a sum in excess of the $150 million (£120 million) that secured Dustin Johnson and perhaps close to $1 billion (£798 million).
“Mind-blowingly enormous,” said Norman. “We’re talking about high nine digits.”
Woods has spoken about approaches from LIV Golf but stood firm in his support for the PGA Tour and expressed his “disappointment” with Phil Mickelson for siding with the Saudis.
Prior to May’s US PGA Championship, Woods said: “I believe in legacies. I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. There’s plenty of money out here. The Tour is growing. But it’s just like any other sport.
“It’s like tennis. You have to go out there and earn it. You’ve got to go out there and play for it. We have the opportunity to go ahead and do it. It’s just not guaranteed up front.”
Golf’s civil war also descended into further acrimony with Norman branding Jack Nicklaus “a hypocrite” for distancing himself from the LIV Golf venture, claiming the 18-time major champion had previously voiced his support.
Nicklaus, a long-time friend and mentor to Norman, revealed he had turned down an offer of more than $100m (£79 million) from LIV and pledged allegiance to the PGA Tour.
“One hundred per cent truth? Jack’s a hypocrite,” Norman told the Washington Post. “When he came out with those comments, I’m thinking: Jack must have a short memory.”
The Australian alleged that Nicklaus had been in favour of the new tour during earlier discussions.
“Quote-unquote, he said: ‘This is good for our game. If it’s good for the game of golf, it’s good by me,’ ” Norman said. “So, you want the facts? You’ve got the facts. Know what you said before you open your mouth.”
A spokesman for Nicklaus issued a statement to the Washington Post wishing Norman well but reiterating Nicklaus’ “unwavering support” for the PGA Tour.
Nicklaus is currently being sued by his own business, Nicklaus Companies, after a complaint was filed to the Supreme Court of the State of New York over an alleged breach of contract.
The inaugural LIV Golf event starts at Centurion Golf Club in St Albans on Thursday, with 2020 Masters champion Johnson the biggest attraction at a tournament with a $25 million (£20 million) purse. The winner of the individual prize will take home $4 million (£3 million).
Telegraph Sport reported last week that the 48-man field and their caddies will receive all expenses paid, luxury travel and accommodation with organisers promising players the ‘Tiger Woods treatment’.
In the same interview with the Washington Post, Norman said PGA Tour allies such as Rory McIlroy had been ‘brainwashed’ by golf’s authorities to oppose LIV Golf.