Greg Norman has revealed that Tiger Woods has turned down a figure approaching $1billion to join the Saudi golf revolution.
The news came on a day when it was announced Phil Mickelson will end his four-month exile from golf at the inaugural Saudi-backed LIV series event at St Albans on Thursday.
Six-time major champion Mickelson hasn’t been seen since creating havoc with two damaging interviews in January but has been reportedly lured back by a signing-on fee for the series of more than £100million.
Underlining the seemingly limitless wealth the Saudis are prepared to pour into golf, Norman revealed negotiations with Tiger’s representatives.
‘Woods turned down a deal that was mind-blowingly enormous; we’re talking about high nine digits,’ he claimed.
In an eye-opening interview with the Washington Post, the Australian who is the face of Saudi golf also accused long-standing opponent Rory McIlroy and others of being ‘brainwashed’ against the rebel circuit and Jack Nicklaus of being a ‘hypocrite’ for siding with the PGA Tour.
Tiger Woods has turned down a figure approaching $1billion to join the Saudi golf revolution
Phil Mickelson will end his exile from golf at the inaugural Saudi-backed LIV series event
Nicklaus came out in support of the status quo last week in a speech that clearly didn’t go down well with Norman.
‘Jack attended a LIV presentation and said in an email that the tour had his blessing,’ alleged Norman. ‘Know what you said before you open your mouth.’
As for the supposed brainwashing, Norman claimed executives and agents were ‘conspiring against LIV to protect an antiquated system that prevents golfers from realising their own power and worth.’
