Jack Nicklaus says he turned down $100m to be face of Saudi-backed golf tour

Greg Norman was not the primary option to be the face of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Collection, whose Saudi Arabian organizers pursued and most well-liked Jack Nicklaus, based on the 73-time PGA Tour winner.

“I used to be supplied one thing in extra of $100m by the Saudis, to do the job most likely just like the one which Greg is doing,” Nicklaus stated in a narrative with Hearth Pit Collective. “I turned it down. As soon as verbally, as soon as in writing. I stated, ‘Guys, I've to stick with the PGA Tour. I helped begin the PGA Tour.’”

Saudi Arabian organizers launched the brand new circuit and plan to carry the inaugural occasion at Centurion Membership outdoors London in June. As well as, 5 tournaments will likely be performed in the USA and a crew match play finale at Trump Doral in Miami on the finish of October.

The PGA Tour denied requests from gamers, together with Phil Mickelson, who requested to take part within the London event. Gamers should request clearance to play within the second LIV occasion by Tuesday.

An unauthorized Mickelson biography, which will likely be launched this week detailing his alleged playing losses and feedback in regards to the Tour and different golfers, has attracted but extra unwelcome consideration for the 51-year-old. Beforehand, Mickelson dismissed Saudi Arabia’s human rights document, together with the killing of Washington Publish reporter Jamal Khashoggi, by saying it was price getting concerned with the Saudis if it meant gaining leverage to get what he wished from the PGA Tour. These feedback drew hearth and Mickelson didn't play on this 12 months’s Masters. He final performed in an occasion in January and withdrew from the PGA Championship this week regardless of being the defending champion.

“My recommendation to Phil? My recommendation to Phil can be to be affected person,” Nicklaus stated within the story printed on Monday. “The world is a really forgiving place. However he’s the one – he has to resolve the place he needs to play and what he needs to do.”