Topics: Australia, Golf, Tiger Woods
Greg Norman has claimed that Tiger Woods knocked back a whopping $700-$800 million offer to join the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV golf competition.
A number of big-name stars have already joined the controversial breakaway league, including the likes of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryan DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and, of course, Phil Mickelson.
But perhaps the greatest golfer of all-time is refusing to be lured over.
According to LIV Golf commissioner and former two-time major champion Greg Norman, officials offered Woods a huge amount of cash in a bid to capture his signature.
While appearing on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Show, Norman was asked if that mega-money figure of $700-800million being dangled in front of Woods' eyes was actually genuine.
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Turns out it was.
"That number was out there before I became CEO," Norman said.
"That number has been out there, yes.
"Tiger is a needle mover. So of course you've got to look at the best of the best.
"They originally approached Tiger before I became CEO so yes, that number is somewhere in that neighbourhood."
The emergence of LIV Golf has left fans, and particularly the players themselves, divided.
With the rebel league being backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, it raises all sorts of concerns and debates surrounding civil rights and even war crimes.
The series has been met with a barrage of criticism from golf fans around the world, particularly the families of 9/11 victims.
Many players have also spoken out against it, including 15-time major champion Woods.
"I disagree with those who have gone to LIV, I think they have turned their back on what allowed them to get to this position," Woods said during a press conference ahead of the 150th British Open Championship.
"Some players have never had a chance to even experience playing on one of the tours.
"They have gone right from the amateur ranks to that organisation and never really had a chance to feel what it is like to play a schedule or play in big events.
"Some of these players may never even get a chance to play in major championships. That is a possibility. They will never get a chance to experience this right here. Walk down the fairways at Augusta National.
"I don't understand it. What these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practice? What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt?
"You are just getting paid a lot of money up front and playing a few events and playing 54 holes.
"They are playing blaring music. I can understand 54 holes for the Senior Tour. The guys are older and a little more banged up. When you are young, 72-hole tests are part of it. We used to have 36-hole play-offs for majors.
"I just don't see how this is positive in the long term. It would be sad to see some of these young kids never get a chance to walk these hallowed grounds and play in these majors."
