When comparing LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, it’s clear that the riches of LIV Golf have enticed many of the world’s best players. We explore LIV Golf vs PGA Tour prize money figures to see which entity is more lucrative.
Regardless of the future course of LIV Golf, whether it forms a partnership with the PGA Tour or remains an independent entity funded by Saudi interests, its impact is undeniable. It stands as a significant rival to the tour, leaving a lasting mark on the golfing world.
The 2023 PGA Tour prize money reflects LIV’s influence, compelling the Tour to raise purses and explore additional avenues for players to enhance their income.
The Tour’s top earners now exceed their LIV counterparts in prize money due to these widespread increases.
LIV Golf vs PGA Tour Prize Money
In its first year, the Saudi Arabian backers allocated a total of £202 million in prize money across eight LIV Golf events, with an additional £24 million accounted for in bonuses.
Excluding any undisclosed signing-on fees, in 2022, a minimum of 52 golfers earned £791,000 or more upon joining LIV Golf.
For many who transitioned from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, the most significant payout came from their initial contracts or signing bonuses. Notably, players like Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith secured contracts surpassing £79 million.
In its second year, the total purse rose to £320 million. This sum comprises £90 million designated for team prize money and £24 million divided among the top three finishers in the season-long individual race.
Meanwhile, in 2023, the PGA Tour distributed over £443 million in prize money, which included £79 million designated for the Player Impact Programme and £59 million allocated for the Tour Championship.
The Player Impact Program (PIP) funds are awarded to the top 20 players who have significantly increased engagement and publicity for the PGA Tour.
Dustin Johnson is set to earn more money for joining the LIV Golf series than Tiger Woods earned in his entire PGA Tour career for on-course earnings. pic.twitter.com/XWHja3w306
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 7, 2022
LIV Golf’s substantial contracts and enhanced purses undeniably captured the PGA Tour’s attention, prompting a significant increase in the Tour’s prize money. Since 2021, when it was slightly below £316 million, the Tour’s total prize money has experienced a substantial rise.
Here’s a comparison of the top five players’ all-time earnings from LIV Golf with their total earnings from the PGA Tour, including the average earnings per event.
LIV Golf Earnings Vs PGA Tour Earnings
Talor Gooch
LIV Golf: £40,759,594 (25 events) = £1,630,591 per event
PGA Tour: £7,319,854 (123 events) = £59,510 per event
Cameron Smith
LIV Golf: £24,995,712 (22 events) = £1,136,110 per event
PGA Tour: £22,691,625 (175 events) = £129,665 per event
Brooks Koepka
LIV Golf: £22,306,365 (24 events) = £929,431 per event
PGA Tour: £34,065,807 (178 events) = £191,380 per event.
Bryson DeChambeau
LIV Golf: £18,347,409 (24 events) = £764,474 per event
PGA Tour: £21,750,680 (144 events) = £151,046 per event
Harold Varner III
LIV Golf: £11,243,048 (22 events) = £511,047 per event
PGA Tour: £8,404,438 (191 events) = £44,002 per event
In 2023, Viktor Hovland emerged as the top earner on the PGA Tour, accumulating £29.4 million, surpassing LIV’s highest earner, Talor Gooch, by around £790,000.
Gooch earned £13.7 million from 14 events, along with an additional £14.2 million for winning the individual title and £633,000 from the team competition at Doral.
Following Hovland was Rory McIlroy, who earned £26 million, with £11.9 million attributed to winning the PIP’s top prize. Scottie Scheffler achieved a tour-record £16.6 million, and bonuses pushed his total earnings to £23 million. Jon Rahm earned £20.7 million, including £12.8 million from the tour and £7.1 million from the PIP.
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