News of the PGA Tour’s explosive merger with bitter rival LIV Golf has left a host of loyal players stunned, especially after numerous rejected lucrative payments ranging in the tens and hundreds of millions to snub the sustained breakout streak by Saudi Arabia.
The deal will end the acrimonious split in the sport and the ongoing disputes between the two tours will be settled. They will now proceed under the same company.
PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan hailed a “momentous day” for the game in a letter to Tour members, although countless players were taken aback by the news.
The sudden emergence of the LIV circuit has divided professional golf, with several big names accepting huge contracts and racking up major prizes.
However, it has proven controversial due to its association with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the fact that it has been involved in lawsuits with the PGA Tour.
In the end, household names such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy chose to stay on the PGA Tour, even despite the tantalizing packages offered by LIV.
Tiger Woods has turned down a staggering offer to join the controversial LIV Golf circuit
In a shock development, the PGA Tour and its rival will merge (above: LIV CEO Greg Norman)
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote a note to members on Tuesday (pictured)
Now, however, they have been left red-faced and probably furious, having publicly rallied against the breakaway and its many defectors to no avail.
Woods, the 15-time big winner, was turned down between $700m and $800m (£575m and £650m) last year, according to LIV chief executive Greg Norman.
‘Listen, Tiger is a needle mover, isn’t he? So, of course, you have to watch the best of the best,’ Norman told Tucker Carlson. “They originally approached Tiger before I became CEO. This number is somewhere in this neighborhood.
Unsurprisingly, McIlroy was also approached by the circuit but, like Woods, rejected an offer that would have been worth around $500m (£402m).
Lucrative deals have been filed for other PGA members and some have also been snubbed.
Indeed, Jon Rahm is said to have given up $400m (£321m), while Will Zalatoris was initially offered $35m (£28m) and then an improved package of $130m. dollars (£104 million).
Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Cameron Young and Justin Thomas were among those who turned down advances from LIV Golf, although their respective offers were not disclosed.
But despite the storm surrounding the breakaway, a number of players signed up.
A package worth between £575m and £650m was dropped off for Woods, who opted to turn it down
Rory McIlroy was the subject of a £402million offer but opted to stick with the PGA Tour
LIV Golf players pictured ahead of the start of their second season in Mayakoba, Mexico in February
Phil Mickelson accepted $200m (£160m) with open arms and Dustin Johnson won a salary of $150m (£120m), showcasing the financial might of the LIV project.
Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were all paid $100 million.
Elsewhere, Bubba Watson took a figure of $50m (£40m), with Sergio Garcia taking in $40m (£32m) and Ian Poulter taking a number between $20m and $30m ( £16 and £24 million).
Players like Patrick Reed, Paul Casey, Kevin Na and Louis Oosthuizen also chose to pivot opposite the PGA Tour despite the ramifications they soon faced.
LIV Golf has come under fire for its links to the PIF, with critics accusing the kingdom of ‘washing the sport’ its human rights record.
It is heavily funded by the sovereign wealth fund, which has committed at least $2 billion to the circuit since its inception.
Defectors, meanwhile, have been pilloried over allegations of greed.
The fate of players who moved from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf remains unclear. Some may be required to pay a fine, after Daniel Rapaport.
Phil Mickelson has agreed to £160million to join the controversial Saudi-backed breakaway, however
Dustin Johnson also pocketed £120million, with LIV Golf able to flex his financial might
