Thursday, September 3, 2026

Woods Turns Down LIV Golf, Mickelson Joins

  • Woods turned down a “mind-blowingly enormous” offer.
  • Mickelson will play in LIV’s first event in London, which begins June 9.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Two golf legends have made their positions on the controversial LIV Golf series very clear.

In an interview with the Washington Post, LIV CEO Greg Norman said that Tiger Woods turned down a “mind-blowingly enormous” offer in the “high nine digits” to join the Saudi-backed venture.

Then on Monday, LIV announced that Phil Mickelson will play in LIV’s first event in London, which begins June 9 — ending months of speculation as to whether the six-time major champion would bolt for the new series.

In a statement, Mickelson called LIV “transformative, not just for myself, but ideally for the game and my peers.” He also said he intends to keep playing in majors, implying he will be in the field for the U.S. Open, which begins June 16.

Woods, who has made an estimated $1.7 billion over his career between winnings and endorsements, has played in the last two majors upon returning from a near-fatal car crash in February 2021.

Dustin Johnson — the most high-profile name in LIV besides Mickelson — was reportedly paid $125 million to join the upstart golf league.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Good Good CEO Steps Down Amid Callaway Driver Ad Fallout

Matt Kendrick says he didn’t see the ad before it was published.

Tiger Woods’s License Suspended For Five Years In DUI Case

The license suspension also comes with $1,500 in fines.

PGA of America CEO Talks Record Frisco Sales, Ryder Cup Future

Momentum is building for the 2027 PGA Championship in Frisco.

LIV Golf’s Next Steps: Bankruptcy, Investor Talks, Contract Buyouts

Many players still have years left on their contracts.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Breaking: NBA Finds Clippers Violated Salary Cap, Bans Ballmer for a Year

0:00

Featured Today

Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.
August 26, 2026

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Aug 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Jessica Pegula (USA) reacts after winning the first set against Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB) during third round play at Sobeys Stadium.

Pegula: Influencers Have Become ‘A Little Too Much’ at US Open

Pegula said she also can appreciate what influencers can bring to the sport.
August 31, 2026

Pro Tennis Players Say Bring On the Influencers

“I love that they bring this fresh eye on tennis.”
September 2, 2026

NBA Finds Clippers Violated Salary Cap, Bans Ballmer for a Year

The Clippers were fined $30 million.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
August 31, 2026

Aging Legends Face Uncertain Futures After US Open Losses

Novak Djokovic said he’s struggled with a health issue all year.
August 31, 2026

Maja Chwalińska No Longer Has Trouble Affording Hotels

Chwalińska makes her US Open main draw debut Monday.
August 30, 2026

Colts’ Keenan Allen Arrested on OWI Charges

He faces potential NFL suspension.
Aug 23, 2026; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Jessica Pegula (USA) returns a shot against Coco Gauff (USA) during the finals of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
August 28, 2026

Tennis Stars Excited About Grand Slam Council, Details Remain Sparse

Jessica Pegula says the main issue remains players’ revenue share.