Golf-Nicklaus turned down offer to be face of Saudi-backed circuit-report

FILE PHOTO: Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 7, 2022 Jack Nicklaus of the U.S. tees off on the 1st during the ceremonial start as Chairperson of Augusta National Golf Club Fred Ridley looks on during the first day of play REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

(Reuters) - Golfing great Jack Nicklaus turned down an offer worth more than $100 million to be the face of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series that is hoping to challenge the PGA Tour, according to a report published on Monday.

Nicklaus, who counts a record 18 major titles among his 73 PGA Tour wins, said in an article on the Fire Pit Collective website that organizers of the series asked him to spearhead the big-money circuit.