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Gone are the days of former PGA Tour stars receiving big, fat checks from LIV Golf through Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. That’s not to say that remaining on the LIV Golf Tour won’t prove to be extremely lucrative for golf’s biggest stars, but a report from Eamon Lynch shines a light on how change is afoot.
Let’s just assume for a second that LIV Golf and the PGA Tour will not reach a unification deal. They very well could but the negotiations have been basically on hold since February and there’s been no real movement since a potential deal was first announced… If we assume that no deal will be reached then who do we think benefits more, LIV Golf or the PGA Tour?
Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch recently wrote about how the PGA Tour holds nearly all of the chips when it comes to dictating what reunification will look like. He also included a tidbit about LIV Golf’s contract changes that doesn’t seem like it’ll do LIV any favors going forward.
He writes that Dustin Johnson’s contract is up this year. Bryson DeChambeau and Brook Koepka’s contracts expire next year. Jon Rahm is inked to LIV for longer than the others. But once golfer’s contracts are up, they are free to begin the process of trying to rejoin the PGA Tour or, as will be the case with most LIV golfers, re-sign with LIV. Lynch writes:
“LIV told its stars that any contract renewals won’t repeat the huge upfront payments that first lured them to the Saudi teat, so the earnings gap between the circuits has narrowed significantly, at least for those who are competitively relevant. If all that the PGA Tour wants by way of reunification is the return of the few men who matter, then it can simply wait until they’re contractually free and do what Scottie suggested, go ask ‘em.”
🚨💰❌ #REPORT — The LIV Golf league has told its players that contract renewals will not include large up front payments that were given upon initially signing. Dustin Johnson’s contract expires this year, Brooks / Bryson expire next year and Rahm is locked up longer term, per… pic.twitter.com/QqIhJWwEjY
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 26, 2025
In terms of regaining PGA Tour membership, some LIV Golf stars might have an easier path than others. Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson qualify for lifetime membership with 20 career wins. Rahm, Bryson, Brooks, and Cam Smith have all won recent majors. Lynch also points out that Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed would qualify based on ranking 14th and 30th on the PGA Tour’s All-Time Money List.
It is hard to imagine a world where Phil Mickelson would re-join the PGA Tour. He seems happier than he’s ever been on his current path. Dustin Johnson’s game isn’t what it was 10 years ago and it would take some convincing for me to believe he wants to go back to the PGA Tour and compete week after week.
But Brooks, Rahm, and Bryson? I could definitely see those 3 considering a return to the PGA Tour at some point, as long as it doesn’t require some public display of contrition for leaving. Then again, they could opt to stay on the LIV Golf and chase $$$$ through events just like they were on the PGA Tour.