In a surprising turn of events, golf legend Tiger Woods has reportedly rejected a $10 million offer from billionaire Elon Musk, a decision that has sent ripples through the sports and business worlds. The offer, which allegedly came as part of Musk’s recent wave of high-profile gestures, was intended to support Woods in some capacity—though the exact details remain unclear. Woods, a 15-time major champion and one of the most iconic figures in sports history, is said to have turned down the money with a pointed statement: “Keep it and spend it on something that actually helps people.” The sentiment reflects Woods’ growing focus on philanthropy and social impact in recent years, particularly through his TGR Foundation, which supports education and youth development.
The story of Woods’ rejection first surfaced on social media, with posts claiming that Musk, known for his ambitious ventures with Tesla and SpaceX, had approached the golfer as part of a broader effort to align himself with influential figures in sports. Musk has made headlines in recent months for similar offers, including rumored donations to athletes like Caitlin Clark and Dawn Staley—claims that were later debunked as false by fact-checking outlets like PolitiFact and Snopes. Those earlier stories followed a similar pattern, alleging that the recipients rejected Musk’s money with altruistic statements nearly identical to the one attributed to Woods. The repetition of this narrative raises questions about the authenticity of the claim involving Woods, especially given the lack of credible evidence to support it.
A deeper look reveals no public statements from either Woods or Musk confirming the offer or its rejection. Musk, who is active on X and often shares details of his initiatives, has not mentioned Woods in any recent posts. Similarly, Woods, who has been relatively private since his latest back surgery in 2024, has not addressed the rumor through his official channels. The absence of concrete evidence mirrors the earlier debunked stories about Clark and Staley, which were traced back to satirical or AI-generated content on sites like Btuatu.com. Those fabrications often used sensational headlines to garner attention, a tactic that appears to be at play here as well.
Woods’ recent activities provide context for why such a story might gain traction, even if untrue. Despite his limited playing schedule—he has not committed to the Hero World Challenge in December 2024 and is recovering from surgery—Woods remains a towering figure in golf. His name still draws significant attention, making him a prime target for viral rumors. Meanwhile, Musk’s high-profile involvement in politics and his controversial $1 million giveaways to voters in 2024 have kept him in the spotlight, often for polarizing reasons. The idea of these two giants clashing over a moral stance fits neatly into the current media landscape, where narratives of wealth, power, and ethics frequently collide.
Adding to the speculation, LPGA star Nelly Korda’s name has been tied to the story in some online discussions, though her involvement seems tangential at best. Korda, who has all but secured the LPGA Player of the Year award for 2024 with six victories, including a major, has not been directly linked to Musk in any verified reports. Her mention alongside Woods may stem from their shared prominence in golf, but there’s no evidence she was part of this alleged offer. The story, as it stands, appears to be more fiction than fact, likely fueled by the same kind of misinformation that has plagued Musk’s interactions with other athletes. While Woods’ focus on meaningful causes is well-documented, the claim of him rejecting Musk’s millions seems to be another unsubstantiated rumor in a string of similar tales.
