Thursday, April 9, 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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy tees off on the eighth hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
opinion

Why Prime Video Was Wise to Lay Up During Masters Debut

Amazon’s modern broadcast still felt traditional.
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sam Burns putts on the 15th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Amazon Passes Masters Test During Debut

Prime Video streamed two hours of coverage Thursday afternoon.

Masters Ticket Crackdown Playing Out Behind Closed Doors

Dozens of fans were questioned upon entry Thursday.
NFL: Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders

Top Sports Attorneys Command $10M Salaries Amid Poaching Frenzy

“The transfer portal is open for sports lawyers.”

Featured Today

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.
April 1, 2026

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
exclusive

Sky, Sparks Close to Ariel Atkins–Rickea Jackson Trade

Atkins can sign a deal with the Sparks worth $1.19 million.
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tiger Woods reacts to his putt on the 16th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament.
April 7, 2026

Masters Stars Feel Unprecedented Absence of Tiger and Phil

This is the first Masters since 1994 without both Woods and Mickelson.
Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) walks on to the court before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center
April 8, 2026

Mavericks Tell Lakers ‘No Error’ in Austin Reaves MRI

The Lakers coach accused Dallas’s medical staff of scanning “the wrong area.”
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
April 7, 2026

Can the Dream Capitalize on Angel Reese’s Popularity?

Reese’s trade from Chicago to Atlanta is making an impact.
April 6, 2026

Patrick Reed: Golf Apparel Free Agency ‘Been Fun’ After LIV Exit

The 2018 Masters champion is starting to sign new deals.
April 6, 2026

Chicago Sky Pivot Yet Again by Shipping Away Angel Reese

The Dream are giving up two first-round picks for Reese.
April 4, 2026

WNBA Free Agency Is Shaping Up to Be Shockingly Quiet

Some sources believe top players will sign one-year deals.