US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau received a record payday but does not top the list of highest-paid players on the LIV Golf Tour
US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau is ne of several big names on the LIV Golf Tour(Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Bryson DeChambeau received record prize money for his US Open triumph but is far from the highest earner on the LIV Golf Tour.
The US Open increased the winners’ payout to £3.4m ($$4.3m), the largest purse ever for a major event. The overall pot stood at £17m ($21.5m), only bettered by The Players Championship with £20m ($25m) on the PGA Tour.
This increase in PGA prize money is a reflection of the riches that are on offer as part of the LIV Golf Tour. The breakaway league has 12 regular season events boasting £20m ($25m) prize funds. However, DeChambeau did not sign the most lucrative contract to join the LIV Golf Tour.
The 30-year-old agreed to a multi-year deal with LIV Golf in 2022 that reportedly included a £100m ($130m) signing-on fee. Despite the nine-figure payday, this places him fifth on the overall list of highest-paid LIV golfers.
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The two-time US Open winner has made a successful start to his time on the LIV Golf Tour, winning two events, each with a £3.1m ($4m) winner’s payout. DeChambeau’s dramatic win at Pinehurst last Sunday propelled him into the world top 10 but it was not enough to earn him a spot on the US Olympic team, given that his LIV performances do not earn ranking points.
Johnson became one of the first big names to join LIV Golf and it has been reported that his deal could rise to a potential £120m ($150m). When asked about his choice, Johnson declared: “The decision to join LIV finally just came down to the offer that they made me.
“Someone offers anyone a job, doing the same thing they’re already doing but less time at the office and they’re gonna pay them more. Pretty sure you’re gonna take it. And something’s wrong with you if you didn’t.”
The former world number one received slightly more than DeChambeau to join the tour in 2022. Koepka has won four LIV Golf League events, worth a combined £12.4m ($16m), and added his fifth major title at the 2023 PGA Championship.