Leaked LIV Golf documents have revealed that the Saudi-backed venture made Tiger Woods their No 1 target in a year that has explosively divided the sport.
After a slow start to their quest to capture the game's major stars, the rebel tour have secured the services of a host of big names, including the likes of Phil Mickleson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and now sacked former European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson. But the most significant blow arguably came in August, when Open champion Cameron Smith defected.
The PGA Tour have since sought to respond, with Woods and Rory McIlroy the instigators of a new virtual TGL venture. Indeed, the pair have been two of the most vociferous critics of the LIV concept, and both have called for CEO Greg Norman to be removed in order for negotiations on a compromise to begin.
But now, previously confidential documents published in the New York Times have unveiled the extent of which LIV targeted the 15-time major champion. Indeed, Woods reportedly turned down an offer in excess of £600 million.
And the papers also imply that the league is nowhere near having signed all of the elite players who Saudi advisers said were required for success. In one presentation slide, where McKinsey projected one of its financial forecasts, the participation of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy was included under the headline: "What you need to believe."
However, it was only Mickelson who ultimately signed, despite causing mass upset by branding Saudi personnel "scary motherf***ers." The six-time Major winner bagged £160 million plus for his defection.
Woods, with his ability to attract fans and sponsors, was seen as "essential." However, not even the extortionate fee on offer could sway his opinion, instead option to go into battle for the PGA.
“I don’t know what their end game is,” Woods said of LIV last month in the Bahamas, where he was hosting the 2022 Hero World Challenge. Acknowledging that the status quo “can’t compete dollar for dollar” with the Saudis, he also said that “an endless pit of money” did not guarantee legacies.
The stance of the 46-year-old has made him the subject of some verbal attacks from rebel players, or in some cases their wives. Ashley Perez, the partner of LIV star Pat, recently posted a jibe online about the car crash Woods suffered in February 2021, that threatened to end his career.
