LIV Golf star trumps Rory McIlroy and PGA Tour rivals as season's biggest earner

31 October 2023 , 15:53

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Talor Gooch is golf's biggest earner in 2023 (Image: AP)

LIV Golf star Talor Gooch has trumped his rivals on the PGA Tour to end the 2023 season as the sport's highest earner, after becoming the breakaway circuit's Individual champion.

Gooch capped off his most successful season to date by being crowned LIV's 2023 champion after finishing second at the Saudi-backed league's final regular season event in Jeddah earlier this month. The American star won three times on his way to the season-long crown, claiming titles in Adelaide, Singapore and Andalucia.

His success of course came with eye-watering payouts too, having swooped £16.1million ($19.6m) in tournament earnings, before receiving a £14.8m ($18m) for his individual championship win. For the year - and across just 14 events - this saw Gooch rake in nearly £31m in on-course winnings, more than any other player in professional golf. Since LIV's formation last summer, the PGA Tour has been quick to stifle the rise of its new-found rival.

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In a bid to thwart the threat, the Tour increased its own tournament purses to keep players on side, but this still could not trump the riches of Gooch. The PGA Tour's biggest earner was FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland, who made a cool £27.6m ($33.5m) throughout the season.

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As well as prevailing at the season-ending Tour Championship, the European Ryder Cup star won the Memorial Tournament in June, as well as the BMW Championship just one week before his victory at East Lake. Hovland was then followed by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler who made £21.4m ($26m) on the PGA Tour, whilst Masters champion Jon Rahm earned £17.5m ($21.2m).

Then came one of LIV Golf's biggest critics in Rory McIlroy, who was able to put aside the saga he found himself off the course, to win £16.7m ($20.3m) on it. And the Northern Irishman - as well as fellow European teammate Rahm - have the chance to further add to their tally, when they compete at the DP World Tour Championship in a little over two weeks.

Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler both enjoyed succesful seasons (Kyodo)

Meanwhile on the LIV setup, it was Brooks Koepka who came in as second-top earner after cashing in £18.7m ($22.7m) for his efforts throughout the year. As well as making just under £15m whilst competing on the breakaway circuit, Koepka topped up his account with impressive performances on the major stage.

Most notably the American finished in a tie for second at the Masters in April, earning £1.3m ($1.6m) before winning the PGA Championship a month later which came with a £2.6m ($3.15m) payout. Remarkably when it comes to golf's four majors, one man who will be able to take advantage of the purses on offer is 2023's highest earner, Gooch.

For all of his riches throughout the year, Gooch is ineligible for all four major championships in 2024 due to his world ranking. Earlier this month the Official World Golf Rankings rejected LIV's latest bid to gain ranking status, which means the breakaway circuit are expected to approach the four major events individually in a bid to earn some sort of exemption for Gooch and co.

Joshua Lees