Greg Norman has revealed that Tiger Woods has turned down a figure just short of $1 billion to join his Saudi-backed golf tour.
One of the most divisive episodes in the history of the sport took a dramatic turn on Monday when it was confirmed that Phil Mickleson had signed up to be the poster boy of Norman's revolution. The six-time major champion will now play in the tour's inaugural event at The Centurion Club at St Albans this week.
It will be his first event since announcing an indefinite break from the sport in January, following comments where he described the state of Saudi Arabia as 'scary motherf*****s'. That was despite initially accusing the PGA Tour of 'obnoxious greed'.
As a result, he missed the US Masters and last month's US PGA, despite being defending champion. And now, the American accepting a deal to join the rebel circuit represents a seismic capture for Norman.
However, the Australian has admitted he failed in a bid to attract the most marketable golfer in the history of the sport. The career of Woods, 46, appeared in jeopardy following his high-speed car crash in February, but he remarkably returned to play at Augusta in April.
And his global appeal was still evident, with his comeback signified by a mass frenzy of interest and support. He further defied doubters by entering the second major of the year at Southern Hills, but was in clear physical difficulty and withdrew after three rounds.
Prior to that event, the 15-time major winner criticised Mickelson's stance on the Saudi tour, admitting he had a "very different opinion" to his American compatriot. And sure enough, an extortionate sum hasn't been enough to turn his head.
"Woods turned down a deal that was mind-blowingly enormous; we're talking about high nine digits," Norman told the Washington Post . Regardless, the man dubbed 'The Great White Shark' will get his venture underway this week with more star power than many envisaged.
Despite initially pledging his allegiance to the PGA Tour, Dustin Johnson will take to the tee in Hertfordshire on Thursday. Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen, and Sergio Garcia are also amongst those involved.
Kevin Na meanwhile, has taken the step of actually resigning from the PGA Tour rather than face litigation for signing for Norman. That was despite the LIV Golf CEO promising to financially support players in any subsequent legal action.
"I'm a bit surprised, actually," said Norman. "The players don't have to resign from the Tour. That was Kevin's decision for whatever reason he wanted to make it.
"Like I've always said, we're going to back up the players. I'll back up the players as much as I need to, to give them their rights to be able to do whatever they want to do as independent contractors."
