Throughout an interview on Fox Information that aired on Monday, former world No. 1 Norman was requested by Tucker Carlson if it was true that Woods was supplied $700-$800 million to affix the LIV Golf collection.
“That quantity was on the market earlier than I turned CEO,” Norman replied. “So, that quantity’s been on the market, sure. Look, Tiger’s a needle mover, proper?
“So, in fact, you are going to have a look at the very best of the very best. That they had initially approached Tiger earlier than I turned CEO, so, sure, that quantity is someplace in that neighborhood.”
Beforehand, Norman had informed the Washington Submit in June that Woods was supplied enormous cash to take part however turned it down. Norman stated the Woods proposal was “mind-blowingly monumental; we’re speaking about excessive 9 digits.”
The controversial tour has attracted some large names from {the golfing} world to depart the established PGA Tour and the DP World Tour to take part for huge sums of cash.
Main winners Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell, Charl Schwartzel and Martin Kaymer have all joined the breakaway enterprise, which has supplied gamers enormous cash to affix.
The LIV Golf collection is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF) — a sovereign wealth fund chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia — and has pledged to award $250 million in complete prize cash.
Nevertheless, it has led to criticism from many gamers, together with Rory McIlroy and Woods, that gamers have deserted golf’s conventional arrange and accepted cash from a rustic with a dismal human rights document.
Earlier than July’s Open at St. Andrews, Scotland, Woods stated he disagreed with the gamers who had left.
“I believe that what they’ve carried out is that they’ve turned their again on what has allowed them to get to this place,” the 15-time main winner stated.
“A few of these gamers might not ever get an opportunity to play in main championships. That may be a risk. We do not know that for certain but. It is as much as all the key championship our bodies to make that willpower. However that could be a risk, that some gamers won’t ever, ever get an opportunity to play in a significant championship, by no means get an opportunity to expertise this proper right here, stroll down the fairways at Augusta Nationwide.
“However what these gamers are doing for assured cash, what’s the incentive to observe? What’s the incentive to go on the market and earn it within the grime? You are simply getting paid some huge cash up entrance and enjoying just a few occasions and enjoying 54 holes. They’re enjoying blaring music and have all these atmospheres which can be completely different.”
Woods added: “I simply do not see how that transfer is constructive in the long run for lots of those gamers, particularly if the LIV group does not get world-ranking factors and the key championships change their standards for getting into the occasions.
“It might be unhappy to see a few of these younger youngsters by no means get an opportunity to expertise it and expertise what we have an opportunity to expertise and stroll these hallowed grounds and play in these championships.”
Woods even went as far to criticize Norman himself for his position within the splinter tour. “Greg has carried out some issues that I do not assume is in the very best curiosity of our recreation, and we’re coming again to most likely essentially the most historic and conventional place in our sport.”
On Sunday, Henrik Stenson gained the third occasion of LIV Golf’s debut season at Bedminster, New Jersey.
Practically two weeks after he was stripped of his Ryder Cup captaincy for becoming a member of the collection, the 46-year-old Swede shot 11-under par on the Trump Nationwide Golf Membership Bedminster to win $4 million.
He accepted the trophy alongside former US President Donald Trump, who was current all through the three-day competitors and who owns the course.
