Tiger Woods makes a difference. Tiger Woods is the needle, to take it one step further.
No one in any sport draws as many viewers to televisions as Woods does when he is competing in a tournament or when he is in contention.
Therefore, when rumors surfaced that the 15-time major champion had been offered somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million to join the LIV Golf Series, a Greg Norman-led, Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway circuit, it appeared plausible.
Norman corroborated the allegations in an interview with Tucker Carlson Tonight, claiming that Woods received an offer in the $700 million to $800 million range.
“That figure was available before I was CEO. So that quantity has been mentioned, sure,” Norman said in response to the question about the suggested sum. And you see, Tiger can move needles, right? Naturally, you will look at the best of the best. So before I became CEO, they had approached Tiger. So, certainly, that number is located someplace in that area.
Greg Norman confirms #LIVGolf offered Tiger Woods in the $700-$800 million range to join the tour while on Tucker Carlson.
"Tiger's a needle mover." pic.twitter.com/i1Tl0yUMoD
— LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) August 2, 2022
Woods was questioned about LIV, Greg Norman, and the role of the circuit in the game last month at The Open, which was held at St. Andrews.
“I am aware of what the PGA Tour represents, what we have accomplished, and what the Tour has given us—the opportunity to pursue our careers, the ability to earn what we receive, the trophies we have had the opportunity to compete for, and the history that has been a part of this sport. I am aware that Greg attempted to do this in the early 1990s. He is attempting to make it work now because it didn’t work before.
“I still don’t understand how that’s best for the game,” you said.
Norman discussed a variety of subjects with Carlson during their discussion, including the relationship Saudi Arabia has with both the PGA Tour and women’s golf.
“I believe there are roughly 27 sponsors on the PGA Tour, and they conduct annual business in Saudi Arabia worth more than $40 billion dollars. The PGA Tour should call the CEOs of each of those companies and apologize for not doing business with them because they are doing business with Saudi Arabia.
The LPGA Tour is financed by Aramco, right? He continued, Aramco is the biggest female golf sponsorship in the world.
The LIV CEO also remarked that mails from athletes expressing interest in joining flood his phone every day.
"I get calls from players everyday saying they want in."
Greg Norman, #LIVGolf CEO, talks about league's popularity and growing list of golfers trying to join. pic.twitter.com/bBSt1TjOQ8
— LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) August 2, 2022
Bubba Watson, Charles Howell III, Henrik Stenson, who triumphed in the most recent competition at Trump Bedminster, and Paul Casey are the newest additions to the league.
The International, a venue outside of Boston, will host LIV’s subsequent event.
