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.

Golfweek reported that LIV has already told these players not to expect big paychecks up front, which is potentially the biggest reason they fled from the PGA TOUR several 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 yet to comment on this matter, and the players mentioned above have not responded to the rumor either. 

🚨💰❌ #REPORT — The LIV Golf league has told its players that contract renewals will not include large up front payments that were given upon initially signing. Dustin Johnson’s contract expires this year, Brooks / Bryson expire next year and Rahm is locked up longer term, per… pic.twitter.com/QqIhJWwEjY

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 26, 2025

The news comes as negotiations between LIV and the TOUR have truly settled down significantly.