Tiger Woods turned down a $700 million to $800 million offer to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, according to CEO Greg Norman.

Tiger: I don't see that move as a "long-term positive" 1:03

(CNN) --

Tiger Woods has turned down an offer of between $700 million and $800 million to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, according to tour CEO Greg Norman.

During an interview on Fox News that aired Monday, former World No. 1 Norman was asked by Tucker Carlson if it was true that Woods was offered $700 million to $800 million to join the LIV Golf series.

"That figure was there before I became CEO," Norman replied.

"So that figure has been out there, yes. Look, Tiger is a player who moves the needle, right?" he said.

"So of course they're going to go for the best of the best. They had contacted Tiger before I became CEO, so yeah, that number is out there."

Norman with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (left) and Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of Saudi Golf (center).

Norman previously told The Washington Post in June that Woods had been offered a lot of money to participate, but he turned it down.

Norman said Woods' proposal was "mind-bogglingly huge; we're talking high nine-figure numbers."

The controversial tour has attracted some of the biggest names in the world of golf who have left the established PGA Tour and the DP World Tour to participate for huge sums of money.

Major winners Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell, Charl Schwartzel and Martin Kaymer have joined the breakaway company, which has offered players huge sums of money to join.

The LIV Golf series is backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, and has promised to award $250 million in total prize money.

However, he has drawn criticism from many players, including Rory McIlroy and Woods, for abandoning the traditional setup of golf and accepting money from a country with a dismal human rights record.

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Before the July Open in St. Andrews, Scotland, Woods said he did not agree with the players who had left.

"I think what they've done is turn their backs on what's gotten them to where they are," the 15-time major winner said.

"Some of these players may never get a chance to play in the big championships. It's a possibility. We don't know for sure yet. It's the big championship bodies that have to make that decision. But it's a possibility. that some players will never, ever get a chance to play in a major championship, never get a chance to experience this here, walk the streets at Augusta National."

Woods sets up a shot during his second round at the 150th St. Andrews Open.

"But what these players do for guaranteed money, what's the incentive to practice? What's the incentive to go out there and win it on the field? They just pay you a bunch of money up front and you play a few events and 54 holes. They're playing loud music and they have all these environments that are different."

Woods added: "I don't see how that move is a long-term positive for a lot of these players, especially if the LIV organization doesn't get world ranking points and the big championships change their entry criteria for events."

"It would be sad to see some of these youngsters never get the chance to live it and experience what we have the chance to experience and walk these hallowed grounds and play in these championships."

Woods even went so far as to criticize Norman himself for his role on the secondary circuit.

"Greg has done some things that I don't think are in the best interest of our game, and we're going back to probably the most historic and traditional place in our sport."

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On Sunday, Henrik Stenson won the third event of LIV Golf's debut season in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Nearly two weeks after losing the Ryder Cup captaincy for joining the series, the 46-year-old Swede shot 11-under at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster for a $4 million prize.

Stenson collected the trophy alongside former US President Donald Trump, who was present for the three days of competition and who owns the course.

Tiger Woods