Greg Norman was not the first choice to be the face of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series, whose Saudi Arabian organizers pursued and preferred Jack Nicklaus, according to the 73-time PGA Tour winner.
“I was offered something in excess of $100m by the Saudis, to do the job probably similar to the one that Greg is doing,” Nicklaus said in a story with Fire Pit Collective. “I turned it down. Once verbally, once in writing. I said, ‘Guys, I have to stay with the PGA Tour. I helped start the PGA Tour.’”
Nicklaus was a 73-time winner on Tour, only trailing Sam Snead and Tiger Woods, who both have 82 victories.
Saudi Arabian organizers launched the new circuit and plan to hold the inaugural event at Centurion Club outside London in June opposite the RBC Canadian Open. In addition, five tournaments will be played in the United States and a team match play finale at Trump Doral in Miami at the end of October.
