LIV Golf’s Big Paydays are Over – Does the TOUR Have an In with Defectors?

LIV Golf’s most attractive feature to golfers who were either going through injury or were ready to play a little bit less golf seemed to be the massive paydays they took to leave the PGA TOUR.

However, those big paychecks will not be available as several of those defectors have been told that those massive up-front payouts will not be given as contract renewals begin to close in. This could be the PGA TOUR’s way to get back in with those who left previously, potentially applying a killshot to LIV Golf in the coming years.

Several big-name players are expected to potentially move back to the PGA TOUR from LIV, including Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson are all set to have renewals within the next two years. Jon Rahm is locked up for a longer period, but the same could apply to him soon.

According to Golfweek, LIV has informed these players not to anticipate large upfront payments — likely the main reason they originally left the PGA TOUR a few years ago.

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.”

LIV Golf has not issued a statement regarding the situation, and the players previously mentioned have also remained silent about the rumor.

This development comes amid a noticeable slowdown in negotiations between LIV and the PGA TOUR.