TULSA, Okla. — If the Saudi Arabian organizers of the LIV Golf Invitational Sequence had their approach, Jack Nicklaus — not Greg Norman — would have been the face of their new breakaway circuit.
In a narrative printed on the Hearth Pit Collective web site on Monday, Nicklaus mentioned he twice turned down offers to steer the Saudi Arabians’ efforts to start out a brand new golf league that hopes to problem the PGA Tour.
“I used to be provided one thing in extra of $100 million by the Saudis, to do the job in all probability just like the one which Greg is doing,” Nicklaus mentioned. “I turned it down. As soon as verbally, as soon as in writing. I mentioned, ‘Guys, I’ve to stick with the PGA Tour. I helped begin the PGA Tour.'”
Nicklaus, 82, was among the many gamers who cut up from the PGA of America and employed Joe Dey because the tour’s first commissioner in 1968. He received 73 instances on tour, together with a report 18 main championships.
The LIV Golf Invitational Sequence is scheduled to stage its first occasion at Centurion Membership outdoors London from June September 11. The eight-event LIV sequence will characteristic 5 tournaments performed in the US. It would embrace seven regular-season occasions and a group championship match-play finale at Trump Doral in Miami from Oct. 28-30.
Final week, the PGA Tour denied conflicting-event releases for players who had requested them to play in London.
The second Saudi occasion is scheduled for July 1-3 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Membership in Portland, Oregon. Tuesday is the deadline for requesting a launch from the tour for that occasion. Defending PGA Championship winner Phil Mickelson is among the many gamers who had requested a launch to play within the first LIV Golf occasion. He isn’t within the area for this week’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills and hasn’t performed since late January, whereas taking a break from golf after his controversial feedback in regards to the tour and the Saudi Arabian monarchy’s alleged human rights violations.
“My recommendation to Phil? My recommendation to Phil can be to be affected person,” Nicklaus informed Hearth Pit Collective. “The world is a really forgiving place. However he is the one — he has to resolve the place he desires to play and what he desires to do.”
