LIV Golf scores again adding Bubba Watson to its roster.
The two-time Masters champion will join the controversial league for its fourth event this season outside of Boston in September, according to Golf Digest. LIV will pay the American golfer about $50 million to join the tour, reports the Daily Telegraph. Its next event kicks off today at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey.
LIV has been bulking up its roster as it challenges the stalwart PGA Tour for players, spectators, and eventually TV rights. In its first year, it is offering a 50% larger purse for its total prize money compared with what the PGA offers.
Plus, the new LIV Tour has pulled many golfers away from the PGA Tour with promises of hefty checks. For example, LIV will pay Phil Mickelson $200 million to play in the startup tour, which is nearly double what legend Tiger Woods has earned in prize money during his entire career. LIV gave the world’s number-one golfer Dustin Johnson a four-year, $125 million contract, which is double his lifetime earnings of $74 million.
Watson has been a pro golfer since 2002, earning about $130 million in prize money. In his career, the lefty has accomplished 12 wins on the PGA Tour, including twice at the Masters in 2012 and 2014, and he reached as high as No. 2 in the Official World Golf Rankings. The 43-year-old has played on four Ryder Cup teams for the United States and a pair of Presidents Cup teams.
The Saudi Arabian-funded league is signing the best golf players and broadcasters. Last week, popular golf commentator David Feherty joined the startup tour as a broadcast analyst. Recent reports say Charles Barkley and Gary McCord could be the newest members of LIV’s media team.
Watson’s official announcement is expected this weekend during the LIV tournament at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.
