As 20-Year-Old Reject LIV’s Millions, Here are Top Names Who Joined Tiger Woods & Proved Their PGA Tour Loyalty

The latest bombshell in the golf world currently is that DP World Tour member Ángel Ayora has been offered a lucrative two-year contract by LIV Golf to join the breakaway league. The 20-year-old Spanish golfer, who is only two tournaments into his rookie season on the DP World Tour, has already made a significant impression with his impressive performances. Ayora’s rapid rise to prominence has caught the attention of many in the golf world, and it’s no surprise that LIV Golf has come calling with a significant offer.

Ayora’s decision regarding the offer has been revealed, and it’s a significant development. According to reports, Ayora has turned down the offer from LIV Golf, opting to remain on the DP World Tour. This decision is a significant blow to LIV Golf’s recruitment efforts, and it will be interesting to see how they respond. With Ayora choosing to stay on the DP World Tour, he will continue to compete against the best golfers in the world, and his decision is likely to be seen as a boost to the tour.

Here are the top golfers who also didn’t defect to the Saudi-backed league:

Tiger Woods

Of course, we have to start with the legend, Tiger Woods, who reportedly turned down a staggering offer between $700 million and $800 million to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series. According to LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, Woods was approached by the breakaway league before Norman took over as CEO. Norman described Woods as a “needle mover” and acknowledged that the offer was made to secure his participation in the league.

Woods has been a vocal supporter of the PGA Tour and has criticized players who have defected to LIV Golf, saying they have “turned their back” on the tour. Norman, on the other hand, has accused the PGA Tour of being a “monopoly” and attempting to shut down LIV Golf through anti-competitive behavior. The battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continues to escalate, with no clear end in sight.

Rory McIlroy

The second in line to express his disinterest in joining LIV Golf is none other than Rory McIlroy, who has made it abundantly clear that his future is with the PGA Tour. Despite the ongoing talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to merge, McIlroy has reiterated his commitment to the PGA Tour, stating that he has never received a formal offer from LIV Golf, despite rumors of an $850 million offer. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV,” McIlroy told Golf Channel in April. McIlroy’s stance on LIV Golf has evolved over time, and while he was initially a vocal critic of those who joined the Saudi-backed circuit, he has since taken a more nuanced approach.

Will Zalatoris

The third one is obviously Will Zalatoris, who has been the subject of much speculation regarding a potential offer from LIV Golf. While Zalatoris hasn’t publicly disclosed the exact amount, he did confirm that he received a “very intriguing offer” from the upstart league. According to Fred Couples, the offer was reportedly worth over $100 million, but Zalatoris turned it down to focus on his goal of winning a major championship. In a recent interview, Zalatoris explained that his decision wasn’t about the money, but about achieving his lifelong goal of winning one of the four major trophies.

Wyndham Clark

Another golfer who has rejected a lucrative offer from LIV Golf is Wyndham Clark, who confirmed that he was approached by the breakaway league with a staggering offer of around $200 million. However, Clark ultimately decided to stay with the PGA Tour, citing his desire to chase records and world ranking. “I chose my legacy over LIV,” Clark said in a virtual press conference after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “I wanted to see what they could bring to the table, but I ultimately declined going to LIV because I felt like I still have a lot of things left in the tank on the PGA Tour.”

Hideki Matsuyama

The only player to reportedly receive an offer close to that of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods was Hideki Matsuyama, with a staggering $400 million allegedly put on the table for the Japanese star. LIV Golf clearly recognized Matsuyama’s value as the best Asian player in the world, believing he could open up a huge market for them. In the end, Matsuyama’s commitment to his legacy and values outweighed the massive financial incentive, leading him to decline the offer and remain committed to his current path. What do you think about the players’ choice to stay? Let us know in the comment section below!