The LIV Golf Invitational Series is trying to position itself as a competitor against the PGA Tour. The Saudi-backed operation headed by Greg Norman has garnered some support across golf — most notably Phil Mickelson — but most of the top-tier players were more comfortable staying on the tour.
However, LIV Golf did get one big win ahead of its first event in London. Dustin Johnson was among the 42 golfers who agreed to participate in the start-up's first event, which came as a surprise. After all, he had said that he was "fully committed to the PGA Tour" in February.
"I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest. I am fully committed to the PGA Tour," Johnson said, per ESPN. "I am grateful for the opportunity to play on the best tour in the world and for all it has provided me and my family."
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However, Johnson reversed course in the 11th hour. Norman actually extended the deadline to announce the London field to ensure that Johnson would be allowed to join, and the player's agent, David Winkle, issued a statement explaining the decision on Tuesday.
"Dustin has been contemplating the opportunity off-and-on for the past couple of years," Winkle wrote. "Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family's best interest to pursue it. Dustin has never had an issue with the PGA Tour and is grateful for all it has given him, but in the end, felt this was too compelling to pass up."
So, what changed for Johnson over the last few months? It is all about the money.
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Why Dustin Johnson is playing in LIV Golf Series first event
According to The Telegraph, LIV Golf is set to pay Johnson up to $150 million for stating his commitment to the new golf circuit. Comparatively, Johnson, a former world No. 1 player, ranks third all-time in PGA Tour earnings history... with $73.4 million.
This isn't the first time LIV Golf has tried to throw nine-figure money to get a notable figure in golf to join its ranks. They tried to get Jack Nicklaus to lead the rival tour instead of Greg Norman, but Nicklaus turned down the $100 million-plus offer. Johnson simply found LIV Golf's offer — and the potential prize money he could earn in the series — too valuable to pass on.
The purses in the LIV Golf Series' eight events total $255 million. That includes seven tournaments that each have total purses of at least $25 million, so Johnson will stand a good chance of adding to the reported $150 million he stands to make by joining LIV Golf.
Johnson is taking a risk in playing on the LIV Golf circuit. The PGA Tour has said that it won't let players participate in both series; they have to choose one or the other. As such, the 13th-ranked golfer in the world and two-time major winner will miss out on not only the PGA Tour's prize money but also some critical endorsements.
The latter part of the equation has already begun. RBC, the sponsor of next week's Canadian Open, has already broken off its sponsorship deal with Johnson in wake of his decision to participate in the Saudi-backed league.
Still, even losing the endorsements and potential PGA Tour payouts won't matter to Johnson. The signing bonus he is reportedly receiving from LIV Golf is massive and will help him vastly improve his net worth.
MORE: Why Jack Nicklaus turned down $100 million from LIV Golf Series
Dustin Johnson net worth 2022
Johnson, 37, has a net worth of $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. That ranks tied for 15th among golfers with Adam Scott, Davis Love, Lee Trevino and Pete Dye, per the website.
However, because of his new deal, Johnson's net worth should increase dramatically. It's unclear exactly how my he will have in the bank, but he should have a good chance to at least double it given that he may make $150 million just by coming to the tour.
If Johnson can increase his net worth to nine digits, he will be one of the top-10 wealthiest golfers of 2022. Only eight players have a net worth higher than $100 million. They are as follows:
| Rank | Player | Net worth |
| 1 | Tiger Woods | $800 million |
| T-2 | Greg Norman | $400 million |
| T-2 | Jack Nicklaus | $400 million |
| 4 | Phil Mickelson | $300 million |
| 5 | Gary Player | $250 million |
| 6 | Rory McIlroy | $170 million |
| 7 | Fred Couples | $120 million |
| 8 | Jordan Spieth | $110 million |
