They say money talks, which in part explains LIV Golf’s “Golf, but Louder” motto.
According to a report from Forbes on the highest-paid golfers in the world for 2022, the upstart series led by Greg Norman and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Invest Fund, “has boosted the earnings of the ten highest-paid golfers by an estimated $370 million since May, bringing their combined haul to a record $650 million.”
Let that sink in for a second.
Seven of the world’s top 10 highest-paid golfers now play for LIV Golf, leaving just Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth as the outliers. Check out each player’s on-course and off-course earnings over the last year below.
- Charl Schwartzel – $34 million
LIV Golf’s first winner in London, Schwartzel made more money for those three days of work ($4.75 million) than any of his years on the PGA Tour, which spans a two-decade career.
- Patrick Reed – $37 million
Reed wasn’t known for his sponsorships before joining LIV, and the same is true now that he’s a member of the series. The 31-year-old now rocks the brand on just about every article of clothing he wears when he plays.
- Jordan Spieth – $39 million
Spieth has been adamant in his support for the PGA Tour over LIV, and it shows in both his on- and off-course earnings. Sponsors tend to leave when players go the LIV route, and without the guaranteed money, his on-course earnings are more modest than the previous two players.
- Sergio Garcia – $42 million
Just like the previous two LIV players, Garcia’s inflated on-course earnings reflect just how financially beneficial it is to play the no-cut, guaranteed money series.
- Rory McIlroy – $43 million
McIlroy has been the face of the anti-LIV movement for the PGA Tour, and just like Spieth, it shows in his earnings.
- Tiger Woods – $68 million
Woods’ on-course earnings are worth a laugh seeing as he’s played sparingly over the last year as he recovered from his single-car accident that nearly led to the amputation of his leg. Norman said Woods turned down a LIV offer in the “high nine digits,” which isn’t surprising seeing as the 15-time major champion’s legacy is the Tour, plus he’s golf’s only billionaire.
- Brooks Koepka – $69 million
Forbes estimates that Koepka received a $100 million guarantee from LIV, which helped lift his total earnings over the last year to a nice $69 million.
- Bryson DeChambeau – $86 million
Forbes reported that the eight-time PGA Tour winner most likely received more than $125 million and estimated he got half upfront. His $86 million over the last year ranks higher than NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
- Dustin Johnson – $97 million
Johnson has always been about the Benjamins, which makes sense why he joined the LIV series. Forbes estimates the 38-year-old earned a $62 million signing bonus in May to help him reach the $97 million mark, good enough to make him the fifth-highest-paid athlete in the world.
- Phil Mickelson – $138 million
Mickelson gained the most from being the eventual figurehead for players to make the move to LIV, but it came at a cost. Lefty lost sponsors and went on a four-month, self-imposed hiatus following some controversial comments about the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia. The result? Forbes estimates a $200 million guarantee, with half likely coming upfront. Mickelson’s $138 million makes him the world’s highest-paid athlete over the last year, beating worldwide soccer star Lionel Messi, who earned $130 million.