They say money talks, which partly explains LIV Golf’s “Golf, but stronger” motto.
according to a forbes report on the World’s Highest-Paid Golfers for 2022, the new series directed by Greg Norman and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Invest Fund, “has increased the earnings of the top ten highest-paid golfers by an estimated $370 million since May, raising their combined haul to a record $650 million.”
Let that sink in for a second.
Seven of the top 10 highest-paid golfers in the world now play for LIV Golf, leaving only Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth as the outliers. Check out each player’s on-field and off-field earnings over the past year below (all figures courtesy of Forbes).
Earnings in the course: $30 million | Off Course Earnings: $4 million
Schwartzel, the first LIV Golf winner in London, earned more money from those three days of work ($4.75 million) than any of his years on the PGA Tour, spanning a career spanning two decades.
South African golfer Charl Schwartzel celebrates with the trophy during the podium ceremony after winning the LIV Golf Invitational Series event at The Centurion Club in St Albans, north London, on June 11, 2022. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/ AFP via Getty Images)
Earnings in the course: $34 million | Off Course Earnings: $3 million
Reed wasn’t known for his endorsements before he joined LIV, and the same is true now that he’s a member of the series. The 31-year-old now sports the brand on almost every piece of clothing he wears when he plays.
Patrick Reed plays a practice round before the Open 150 at St. Andrews Old Course in St .Andrews, Scotland. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Earnings in the course: $8 million | Off Course Earnings: $31 million
Spieth has been steadfast in his support of the PGA Tour over LIV, and it shows in his gains on and off the field. Sponsors tend to leave when players go the LIV route, and without the guaranteed money, their on-field earnings are more modest than the previous two players.
Jordan Spieth answers questions during his press session before a practice round for the Open 150 at St. Andrews Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Earnings in the course: $35 million | Off Course Earnings: $7 million
Like the two previous LIV players, Garcia’s inflated on-field earnings reflect how financially beneficial it is to play the guaranteed money series with no cuts.
Sergio Garcia walks off the 11th tee during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club. (Photo: Orlando Ramírez-USA TODAY Sports)
Earnings in the course: $9 million | Off Course Earnings: $34 million
McIlroy has been the face of the anti-LIV movement on the PGA Tour and, like Spieth, it shows in his earnings.
Rory McIlroy reacts after a putt on the fifth fairway during the final round of the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Earnings in the course: $43,500 | Off Course Earnings: $68 million
Woods’ gains on the field are worth it, as he played sparingly over the past year while recovering from his car accident that nearly led to the amputation of his leg. Norman said Woods turned down an offer from LIV in the “high nine figures,” which isn’t surprising given the 15-time major champion’s legacy is the Tour, plus he’s golf’s only billionaire.
Tiger Woods gestures to the crowd on the 18th hole at the end of his second round of the 150th British Open at the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland on July 15, 2022. (Photo by Paul Ellis/AFP via GettyImages)
Earnings in the course: $53 million | Off Course Earnings: $16 million
Forbes estimates that Koepka received a $100 million guarantee from LIV, which helped boost his total earnings over the past year by $69 million.
Brooks Koepka walks down the sixth fairway during the first round of the LIV golf tournament at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. (Photo: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)
Earnings in the course: $66 million | Off Course Earnings: $20 million
Forbes reported that the eight-time PGA Tour winner likely received more than $125 million and estimated that he received half up front. His $86 million in the last year is above NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
Former President Donald Trump with Bryson DeChambeau during the LIV Golf Bedminster pro-am. at Trump National in Bedminster, NJ on July 28, 2022. (Photo: The Record)
Earnings in the course: $68 million | Off Course Earnings: $29 million
Johnson has always cared 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.
Dustin Johnson waves to the crowd on the 17th green during the second round of the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Earnings in the course: $102 million | Off Course Earnings: $36 million
Mickelson benefited the most from being the figurehead for players moving to LIV, but it came at a cost. Lefty lost sponsors and went on a self-imposed four-month hiatus after some controversial comments about the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia. The result? Forbes estimates a guarantee of $200 million, with half likely coming up front. Mickelson’s $138 million makes him the world’s highest-paid athlete in the past year, beating global soccer star Lionel Messi, who earned $130 million.
Phil Mickelson tees off on the 17th hole during the first round of the 150 Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)