KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, SAUDI ARABIA | The look of incredulity on the face of Dustin Johnson was unmistakable when a journalist asked him if he, too, had received an offer similar to the one the Super Golf League reportedly will pay to Ian Poulter.
On Monday of Saudi International week, The Daily Telegraph reported the English Ryder Cup legend was offered £22 million (roughly equivalent to $30 million) by LIV Golf Investment to join the proposed league, which is thought to be preparing to launch in the second half of the year.
Most players and other involved parties (managers) are bound by non-disclosure agreements. Johnson did not fall to the bait and reveal his own numbers, but his reaction and answer made it seem pretty clear that his offer was much larger than $30 million.
“No, not similar,” said Johnson. After a short pause, he added: “It’s just not similar.”
A couple of days after The Telegraph’s story on Poulter, the Daily Mail reported through “reliable sources” that Bryson DeChambeau’s deal was worth $135 million. If true, DeChambeau will rake in $14 million more than Tiger Woods’ entire career on-course earnings on the PGA Tour ($120.8 million).
Both Poulter and DeChambeau have denied the numbers published in the stories.
There were incredible figures being thrown around during the Saudi International, even though neither Golf Saudi, nor Greg Norman, the chief executive officer of LIV Golf, have revealed details on the purported SGL.
“No, not similar. ... It’s just not similar.”
Dustin johnson
Here’s what we have gathered during the week at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club:
Confirmed fact: LIV Golf increased its investment in the Asian Tour from the earlier announced $200 million for the next 10 years to $300 million. The two parties also revealed details of the new International Series.
That is the only confirmed fact. Anything else comes through sources that don’t want to be named. Lee Westwood told the media that he, and all other players, have signed NDAs. Phil Mickelson, who had a go at the PGA Tour and its “obnoxious greed,” did say that the SGL has spoken to every top 100 player in the world.
Here’s what Global Golf Post learned after speaking to knowledgeable sources:
DeChambeau’s offer is slightly south of the Daily Mail figure. Closer to $125 million, they claim. He is said to become the second-biggest signing if he puts pen to paper.
The biggest deal offered – nearly $150 million – is for Johnson, while six-time major champion Mickelson has been given the third-largest offer.
The SGL is to begin later this year, probably with six to eight events in 2022.
Each SGL event will carry a total purse of “at least $15 million.”
All individual deals with players will be for a period of four years.
The deals offered are based on various factors, but age and past performance are key considerations.
The tournaments are going to be team championships, which will include individual standings as well.
A player, with knowledge of the offers being made, said: “These are not numbers being pulled out randomly from some hat. They have given it considerable thought and are confident they will be able to generate that kind of revenue. It’s going to be fascinating how this pans out.”
Joy Chakravarty