🏌🏻 Highest-Paid LIV Golfers

Good morning. Today, the last Tuesday of January, is National Plan a Vacation Day. We can’t wait to plan our next golf vacation!

From the golfing world though, another player jumps ship to LIV Golf as the PGA Tour and PIF prepare to come to a conclusion regarding the merger. Take a look at the details and the highest-paid LIV golfers in 2024.

That, and a tip to improve your mobility and overall game in today's edition of Golf Reporter.

Here are the main stories you’ll be reading:

• Tournaments This Week

• $2bn PGA - PIF Deal

• Hatton Joins Rahm For $63 Million

• Highest-Paid LIV Golfers

⛳ This day in history: World Golf Hall of Fame member Curtis Strange was born on this date in 1955 in Norfolk, Virginia. He won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1988 and 1989.

NEXT ON THE TEE
Tournaments This Week

PGA Tour: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

📍 When and Where: Feb. 1-4, Pebble Beach Golf Links, California
💰 Purse: $20 million
🏌🏻 Top Players: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele

DP World Tour: Bahrain Championship

📍 When and Where: Feb. 1-4, Royal Golf Club, Bahrain
💰 Purse: $2.5 million
🏌🏻 Top Players: Rasmus Hojgaard, Yannik Paul, Jordan Smith

LIV Golf: LIV Mayakoba

📍 When and Where: Feb. 2-4, El Camaleon Golf Course, Mexico
💰 Purse: $25 million
🏌🏻 Top Players: John Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Tyrrell Hatton

ALBATROSS
$2bn PGA - PIF Deal

The PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) have apparently reached a merger deal worth $2 billion. Reports suggest that significant progress has been made on the deal, with an official announcement expected soon.

Private jets used by Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan were spotted in New York last week, suggesting face-to-face talks are still happening. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said they made "meaningful progress" at the start of January after missing the initial December 31 deadline.

The Strategic Sports Group (SSG) will also put money into the PGA Tour's joint venture with the PIF. They're starting a new company called PGA Tour Enterprises, and Al-Rumayyan will be the boss.

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Hatton Joins Rahm For $63 Million

Tyrrell Hatton has left the PGA Tour and made the jump to LIV Golf, signing for $63 million. He will make his LIV debut this week as a member of Jon Rahm’s team in the season opener in Mexico.

Hatton is listed among the 80 golfers in the field this week at PGA Tour's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but he won't be participating in the tournament. At No 16 in the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), Hatton would be the second-highest-ranked LIV golfer. Rahm is No 3.

Hatton Set To Be One Of The Highest-Paid Players In LIV

Since starting on the PGA Tour, Hatton has won a total of $23 million in prize money. He's now set to earn much more in one single payment.

Not only will he get a $63 million deal, but he'll also have the chance to compete for LIV's huge $25 million prize pots at each event.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

LPGA Tour: Drive On Championship winner Nelly Korda is now No 2 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings while Lydio Ko has climbed up to the seventh spot. Lilia Vu continues to be No 1 despite a poor outing in Florida.

Dustin Johnson: Dustin Johnson has fallen out of the top-200 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the first time in 16 years, as LIV Golf's wait for world ranking points goes on. A former World No 1, Johnson has slipped to No 202 in the rankings.

APGA Tour: Michael Herrera followed an opening-round 72 on the Torrey Pines Golf Course North Course with a 74 on the difficult South Course to claim his fourth career APGA Tour win at the Farmers Insurance Invitational. He takes home the winner's check of $30,000.

Beau Hossler: Beau Hossler has become the 17th pro to have reached the $10 million without having won a PGA Tour event. With a T-6 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open, Hossler earned $303,750 to become the 245th pro to see his earnings climb into eight figures for his PGA Tour career.

BIRDIE
Highest-Paid LIV Golfers

🚀 Tyrrell Hatton's switch to LIV Golf for $63 million makes him the 7th highest-paid golfer in the league.

3. Dustin Johnson: Dustin Johnson signed a multi-year contract worth $125 million. He was one of the first major golfers to switch over to LIV. The former World No. 1 also finished first in 2022 as the highest earner from LIV tournament winnings.

2. Phil Mickelson: At 53 years old, Mickelson signed the largest contract in LIV history (before John Rahm) on June 6, 2022. His current contract earns him more than $200 million per year.

1. John Rahm: John Rahm signed a record-breaking deal with LIV Golf worth over £450 million. That and additional bonuses not only make him the highest-paid LIV golfer but also the highest-paid athlete in the world.

Take a look at the players who occupy the top spots. 

DRIVING RANGE
How Basic Mobility Can Improve Your Golf

In this video, PGA Tour Physio Matt Green shows you how to fix your back and take your game to a whole new level.