Tiger Woods twice turned down appearance fees of around $3 million to play in the Saudi International, according to an ESPN report. “I just don’t want to go over there,” Woods told ESPN. “It’s a long way.” Woods’ disclosure follows the news that Phil Mickelson will play in the European Tour’s Saudi event in late January, skipping the Waste Management Phoenix Open. While Woods won’t be making the trip to Saudi Arabia, he defended Mickelson’s decision to play. “I understand the politics behind it,” Woods said Tuesday. “But also the game of golf can help heal a lot of that, too. It can help grow it. And also a lot of top players are going to be playing there that particular week.”
Report: Tiger Woods turned down millions to play in controversial Saudi event
Tiger Woods twice turned down appearance fees of around $3 million to play in the Saudi International, according to an ESPN report. “I just don’t want to go over there,” Woods told ESPN. “It’s a long way.” Woods’ disclosure follows the news that Phil Mickelson will play in the European Tour’s Saudi event in late January, skipping the Waste Management Phoenix Open. While Woods won’t be making the trip to Saudi Arabia, he defended Mickelson’s decision to play. “I understand the politics behind it,” Woods said Tuesday. “But also the game of golf can help heal a lot of that, too. It can help grow it. And also a lot of top players are going to be playing there that particular week.”