Top 10 Biggest LIV Golf Contracts

By Indra Gunawan April 11, 2024 13:54

Photo by Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

The emergence of LIV Golf, a breakaway tour backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has seen a surge in the earnings of the top golfers, with significant impacts on their contracts and overall financial standings.

1. Phil Mickelson - $138 million

On-course earnings: $102 million
Off-course earnings: $36 million
Phil Mickelson’s contract with LIV Golf is worth about $200 million, per @BrentleyGC. pic.twitter.com/WIJmPp3t4S
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 7, 2022

2. Dustin Johnson - $97 million

On-course earnings: $68 million
Off-course earnings: $29 million
- Johnson's contract is estimated to include a $62 million signing bonus, contributing to his overall earnings, making him the fifth-highest-paid athlete globally.

3. Bryson DeChambeau - $86 million

On-course earnings: $66 million
Off-course earnings: $20 million
- DeChambeau's contract is believed to exceed $125 million, with an estimated upfront payment of half this sum. This significant contract has positioned him ahead of NFL quarterback Tom Brady in earnings, showcasing the transformative effect of LIV Golf on golfers' financial profiles.

4. Brooks Koepka - $69 million

On-course earnings: $53 million
Off-course earnings: $16 million
- Koepka's contract is estimated to have included a substantial $100 million guarantee from LIV, significantly contributing to his total earnings over the last year.

5. Tiger Woods - $68 million

On-course earnings: $43,500
Off-course earnings: $68 million
- Despite playing sparingly due to his recovery from an accident, Woods turned down a substantial LIV offer in the "high nine digits," highlighting the impact of LIV Golf's significant financial incentives on top players.

6. Rory McIlroy - $43 million

On-course earnings: $9 million
Off-course earnings: $34 million
- McIlroy's contract earnings reflect the financial consequences of his stance against LIV Golf, emphasizing the polarization within the golfing community and the financial implications for players.

7. Jordan Spieth - $39 million

On-course earnings: $8 million
Off-course earnings: $31 million
- Spieth's on-course earnings have been affected by his support for the PGA Tour over LIV Golf, shedding light on the financial trade-offs associated with aligning with different golfing series.

8. Patrick Reed - $37 million

On-course earnings: $34 million
Off-course earnings: $3 million
- Reed's transition to LIV Golf has seen a shift in his earnings profile, with a focus on sponsorships and the impact of series membership on his financial standing.

9. Sergio Garcia - $42 million

On-course earnings: $35 million
Off-course earnings: $7 million
- Garcia's inflated on-course earnings illustrate the financial benefits of participating in LIV Golf, shedding light on the series' impact on golfers' financial rewards.

10. Charl Schwartzel - $34 million

On-course earnings: $30 million
Off-course earnings: $4 million
- Schwartzel's success with LIV Golf has resulted in significant financial gains, underscoring the series' impact on golfers' financial prospects and reshaping the traditional golfing landscape.

The significant contracts and earnings of the top 10 LIV Golf players underscore the financial impact of the series, with substantial guarantees, bonuses, and on-course and off-course earnings reshaping the golfing landscape and players' financial prospects.