Wednesday, July 22, 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

Jul 19, 2026; Southport, ENG; Ryan Fox holds the Claret Jug after winning the The Open Championship golf tournament, as he is interviewed by NBC’s Mike Tiroco at Royal Birkdale.

All Four Golf Majors Saw TV Ratings Spike This Year

Sunday was The Open’s most-watched final round since 2022.
First at FOS

LIV Golf Settles $1M Trademark Lawsuit After Stinger GC Rebrand

Tee manufacturer Stinger Golf first sued LIV in June 2025.
Topgolf celebrates the grand opening of its newest location in Parsippany, N.J., on July 2.

‘Golf Is Having a Moment’: Topgolf CEO Talks Expansion Plans

Leonard Green & Partners acquired a 60% stake in Topgolf.

PGA Tour Undercuts LIV Golf With Asian Tour Deal

The International Series will likely end its partnership with LIV.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/22/26 – World Cup Final Ratings, ESPN Layoffs, LeBron Waits, WFAN to SiriusXM

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.

Jonathan Vaughters Defends Late-Night Tour de France Drug Tests 

“Do you want the appearance of clean, or do you want clean and fair?”
kyle rudolph
July 22, 2026

Former Viking Kyle Rudolph: Private Equity ‘Great’ for the NFL

Private equity makes “these assets a little more liquid.”
July 22, 2026

Jake Paul Responds to Critics: ‘I Brought Boxing to Netflix’

Paul believes the Tyson fight’s Netflix audience will never be matched.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
July 21, 2026

Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu Skipping WNBA 3-Point Contest

Only two 2026 WNBA All-Stars are participating.
July 21, 2026

Late-Night Drug Tests Spark Backlash, Intrigue at Tour de France

Riders are pushing back on rare overnight anti-doping tests.
July 20, 2026

Why WNBA Union Won’t Monetize Viral Sophie Cunningham Incident  

Cunningham can still use her own NIL to license the image.