One of the biggest names to risk his future with the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, Bryson DeChambeau played in the breakaway league for the first time last week in Portland and finished in 10th place in the 48-man field and earned $560,000 for shooting 2-under in the 54-hole competition.
It wasn’t the best start for the 28-year-old golfer nor the biggest payday, but suffice to say it isn’t really too big of a deal for DeChambeau if he was actually paid as much as he says he was to spurn the PGA for LIV Golf.
Appearing on the Country Club Adjacent podcast, DeChambeau said he inked a contract with LIV Golf that will keep him with the upstart series through the 2026 season (if it lasts that long). DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open winner, also revealed how much LIV Golf paid him to put his future with the PGA Tour on hold.
Previously rumored to have received more than $100 million to join LIV, DeChambeau indicated the price tag for his services was even more expensive after one of the Country Club Adjacent hosts joked about the golfer having a $125-million smile.
“That’s a little low,” DeChambeau said. “I’m not gonna say the details, I mean for what’s reported it’s somewhat close. It’s a 4.5-year deal, I can definitely tell you that and a lot of it was up front, which is great. What’s cool about it, though, is that I’ve already put it in places that make sense, whether it’s my foundation or real estate, being able to build a multi-sport complex or taking care of my family.”
If DeChambeau, who earned just over $26 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour, really received $125 million or more to join LIV Golf, his family should be well taken care of moving forward whether he plays well or not, as he is getting paid to show up, not to win.
As DeChambeau said previously, his defection from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf was a “personal business decision” and a lucrative enough one that he is willing to accept Saudi money despite mounting public criticism.
“Golf is a force for good,” he said last month. “And I think, as time goes on, hopefully people will see the good that they are doing and what they are trying to accomplish, rather than looking at the bad that’s happened before. And moving on from that is important. And continuing to move forward in a positive light is something that could be a force for good for the future of the game.”
It’s certainly good for DeChambeau’s wallet — but maybe not his game.
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