First it was Rory McIlroy saying that Tiger Woods doesn't have much golf left. Now it's an entire region of the planet questioning his ability.
The Telegraph is reporting that organizers of the Abu Dhabi Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic no longer are willing to fork over a handsome ransom for the world's former No. 1 golfer to grace the tournaments with his appearance.
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Those Middle East events' organizers paid between $2 million and $3 million for Woods to put his name to the event, the Telegraph reported. But both events' refusal to pay for Tiger marks the first time in a decade that he will not be compensated simply to fly out.
Woods made it a tradition of playing in the United Arab Emirates to start each season, Abu Dhabi and Dubai sometimes competing for his services, The Telegraph reported.
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"Of course Tiger is still a huge name, but those tournaments are not prepared to bus their budgets any more, or at the very least spend their entire budget on one man, a PGA Tour insider told The Telegraph. "There are other players of big interest now, not least Rory McIlroy. In these market conditions, at those prices, Woods does not represent the value he once did. In fairness, he has been there a lot and the novelty has worn off."
Especially since Woods finished a meager 41st at Dubai in 2014 and missing the cut at Abu Dhabi in 2013. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship, prompting new No. 1 McIlroy to proclaim Woods, and Phil Mickelson, as being near the sunset of their careers.
Woods isn't totally out of earnings power, yet. The Telegraph added that Woods reportedly will earn $4 million for an appearance at the America's Golf Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina this month and another $4 million for an appearance in China.
But the writing is on the wall that Woods had better start giving some return on the investment in him or else he will be treated just like any other PGA Tour player.
Perhaps for the first time in his life.
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