Well, it looks like we are re-entering the drama phase of LIV Golf vs PGAT. If you’ve followed us for a while, then you know our opinion that more golf is better! Regardless, we have to provide our insight and give a look into what is happening between LIV and PGAT.

Brooks Koepka decided that he wanted out of LIV and to go back to the PGAT. When he left LIV he announced he wanted to spend more time at home with his family, he did that for about a week and decided he wanted to get back on the road with the PGAT. Once he announced he wanted to rejoin the PGAT, the PGAT dropped essentially all of their previous talking points, and immediately made a way for him to get back on the PGAT. Now this is an interesting development because since LIV was created, PGAT has consistently said they didn’t want guys back that rank so poorly on OWGR, Brooks is ranked #244 in the world. Apparently the PGAT has realized that OWGR is inaccurate, at least when it fits their agenda.

PGAT made an exception where Koepka pays a $5M fine and is unable to participate in the Tour equity program for 5 years. The PGAT has speculated that could be from $50-85M, though that number is a complete guess as there hasn’t been any actual payouts from this program yet. Brooks Koepka also picked up $120M when he left for LIV and then made $46M while at LIV vs the almost $30M he made during his time on PGAT.

Ultimately Brooks Koepka generated about $166M while at LIV, it is likely he probably gave roughly $30M back due to not finishing his contract, so $136M. If he has to give $5M to charity, that makes it $131M, although some earnings will be offset with the tax write-off of a charity donation. Even if you max out the potential, advertised amount by the PGAT, Brooks picked up $46M+ in 3 years at LIV vs what he’d have made if he stayed at PGAT.

The PGAT originally tried to make it clear that they wouldn’t be letting guys back without big suspensions. That is why many players decided not to go to LIV. You have to wonder now how many of those guys that turned down huge contracts are mad they did, since they missed out on up to $50M. It’ll be interesting to see how PGAT players, especially those outside the top 30 or so players, react to this news. It could open the door to guys going to LIV, it could lead to guys exploring options. It’ll be very interesting to see how this plays out.

Then after Brooks, the PGAT decided to try to grab Bryson DeChambeau who is undoubtedly the biggest needle mover in golf right now, Jon Rahm one of the most talented golfers in the world, and Cam Smith who hasn’t played up to his potential the last 2 years, but has the potential to be one of the best, and still is one of the best putters in the game. Each of those players immediately came out and said they had no interest in returning to the PGAT. Cam Smith actually went as far as to say he wouldn’t return to the PGAT even if he had no guaranteed contract with LIV Golf because he loves being able to be based out of Australia, loves what Ripper GC is doing for youth golf in Australia, and has created the biggest golf tournament in Australian golf history with LIV Golf Adelaide, home of the original party hole.

What happens next?

LIV Golf has backed off their pursuit of PGAT stars since the talks began to do some sort of merger, it looks like the PGAT has called off that truce, so now it’ll be interesting to see if LIV Golf takes the kid gloves off and decides to go after players.

Hideki Matsuyama has long been a rumored target of LIV Golf, this move could open the door for a 20% increase in offer, using some of that Brooks money, to add to the new Korean Golf Team. Sungjae Im is also a target for that team. Without Kevin Na, they now have some openings and both these players could, in theory slide in for the same contract Brooks was getting. I think these players would actually be better for LIV than Brooks ever was. Brooks never was a team player, never liked the team format, never managed or repped his team, and had issues with essentially every player on his team, with several players requesting to actually be moved off his team.

Xander Schauffele has to be thinking he missed a GIANT opportunity to go to LIV. He likely could’ve got a $200M+ deal to go to LIV, and could’ve made over $100M additional money, doubling his career earnings, even if he came back to PGAT 4 years later and paid the same fines as Brooks did. Could a $220M offer now lure him away since he knows he can come back whenever he wants?

There are tons of interesting options for how all this could go, it’ll certainly be exciting and we will be watching!

Golf is officially back tomorrow with the Sony Open! LIV Golf returns on Feb 4-7 in Riyadh.

As always, thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed this blog!

If you did, please give us a follow on Facebook | Instagram | X

We want to thank our sponsor who inspired, mentored, and guided us along the way as we were getting Tee Time Tavern of the ground. If you need any business advice or mentorship, you need to check out Jimmy Ralph!