How much was Brooks Koepka paid to join LIV?

By Indra Gunawan February 21, 2024 09:42

Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Brooks Koepka, a prominent golfer, made headlines when he decided to leave the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf, a breakaway golf circuit backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. His decision was accompanied by a massive sign-on fee, and his successful career has added to his earnings through prize money.

Sign-On Fee

Brooks Koepka reportedly received a sign-on fee of around $100 million to join the LIV Golf circuit, making him one of the most high-profile signings in 2022. Reports from various sources suggested that this amount was comparable to those received by other golfers such as Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, while Phil Mickelson reportedly received a larger signing bonus of $200 million. Koepka's deal with LIV Golf runs through 2025, and it is reported that players would be required to pay back "two, three or four times" their signing bonuses to get out of their contracts and return to the PGA Tour before 2025 .

Winnings and Prize Money

On the LIV Golf circuit, Brooks Koepka earned more than $8 million in prize money from events in 2022, and he also secured significant earnings through individual prize money and team bonuses. In 2022, he won the last individual event in Jeddah after a playoff against his teammate, Peter Uihlein, and ended the season in eighth place on the individual points list. Notably, Forbes estimated that he was the fourth best-paid golfer of 2022, with on-course earnings of $53 million, the majority of which came through LIV Golf .

Impact of the Sign-On Fee

In an interview, Brooks Koepka revealed that the lucrative contract offered by LIV Golf was a major factor in his decision to defect from the PGA Tour. He confirmed that the deal was worth at least nine figures, implying that it was worth at least $100 million. Koepka emphasized the financial security that this deal provided for his family, highlighting the substantial impact of the sign-on fee on his career decision.

Brooks Koepka's decision to join LIV Golf was driven by the substantial sign-on fee he received, which reportedly amounted to around $100 million. This significant financial incentive, along with his successful career and earnings through prize money, has positioned Koepka as one of the highest-paid golfers in the LIV Golf circuit. As the golfing landscape continues to evolve, the impact of such high-value contracts on the sport and its players remains a subject of interest and scrutiny.

Brooks Koepka's joining of LIV Golf was a result of a substantial sign-on fee, and his subsequent success on the circuit has further solidified his position as one of the top-earning golfers in the sport.