• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 10, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

Golf Sponsors Dump PGA Tour Players Defecting To Rival LIV

  • RBC and UPS cut ties with Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood.
  • Equipment makers mum on whether they’ll continue relationships.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Golfers defying the PGA Tour to join upstart LIV Golf are suffering expensive defections by their corporate sponsors. Just ask Dustin Johnson.

Shortly after Johnson surprised the industry by joining the new Saudi-backed LIV, sponsor RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) ended its relationship with him and Graeme McDowell, winner of the 2010 U.S. Open.

“As a result of the decisions made by professional golfers Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell to play the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener, RBC is terminating its sponsorship agreement with both players,” said RBC spokeswoman Elynn Wareham in a statement Wednesday. “We wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Noting that it was a “proud partner” of the PGA Tour, RBC previously stated it was “extremely disappointed” by Johnson’s decision to tee it up at the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational from June 9-11.

Johnson and McDowell might not be the only golfers to lose lucrative deals over switching tours. 

The PGA Tour has made it clear there could be suspensions and other financial repercussions for players that defect to Greg Norman’s rival LIV.

After Lee Westwood asked for a release to play in LIV’s first event, sponsor UPS dumped him despite a 14-year relationship. The global courier requested the former World No. 1 golfer remove its brown-and-gold logo from his shirt and golf bag at the PGA Championship. 

UPS is not even a PGA Tour sponsor. But it has served as an international partner of The Masters tournament since 2014. It also partners with the Ryder Cup.

“We value the relationship we’ve had but make decisions based on what is best for our business,” UPS spokeswoman Kara Ross told SI via email. “We will continue to focus on sponsorship initiatives that are important for UPS and consistent with our business priorities.”

More financial fallout could be on the way.

The golf industry’s leading equipment makers such as Callaway Golf, TaylorMade, and Ping were conspicuously silent Wednesday about their relationships with endorsers bolting to LIV. These giants provide equipment, gear, and funding to the biggest stars. If they remain loyal to the PGA Tour, they won’t be easy to replace.

More than a dozen PGA Tour players are challenging Commissioner Jay Monahan by committing to LIV’s first event outside London.

They include the 37-year old Johnson, 42-year-olds McDowell and Sergio Garcia and, likely, embattled 51-year-old Phil Mickelson. 

Many of the golfers committing to LIV are Europeans such as McDowell, Westwood, Garcia, and Ian Poulter, in addition to South Africans like Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. 

But so far the biggest American stars have passed on LIV, including current money leader Scottie Scheffler, PGA Champion Justin Thomas, and Tiger Woods.

With PGA career earnings of $74.3 million, Johnson ranks behind only Woods ($120.9 million) and Mickelson ($95 million).

Norman’s rebel golf league is paying the two-time major winner an estimated $125 million to commit to the series, according to The Telegraph.

The total prize money for eight LIV events will be $255 million, with seven regular-season tournaments featuring $25 million purses. After the seven regular-season events, the top three finishers will share a $30 million bonus. The final match-play championship will offer $50 million in payouts.

The PGA Tour again threatened to drop the hammer on defectors Wednesday.

“As communicated to our membership on May 10, PGA Tour members have not been authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event, under PGA Tour regulations,” it said in a statement. “Members who violate the tournament regulations are subject to disciplinary action.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 17, 2025; Portrush, IRL; Jason Day hits a shot on the 18th hole during the first round of The 153rd Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Portrush.

Flashy Golf Apparel Brand Malbon Notches $28 Million Raise

Jason Day famously wore the brand at the last two Masters Tournaments.
Netflix

Netflix Claims Bigger NFL Package ‘Doesn’t Really Fit’ Sports Strategy

Roger Goodell has signaled media-rights conversations could restart next year.

Amazon Adds Golf to Its Packed Black Friday Sports Lineup With NFL,..

On Nov. 28, The Skins Game will return for the first time since 2008.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Mar 16, 2025; Singapore, SINGAPORE; Joaquin Niemann in action during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.

LIV Golf Lost $461M in Non-U.S. Operations in 2024

Public financial filings were released this week in the U.K.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., United States; Sheryl Swoopes hosts a WBNA All-Star brunch in honor of her former teammate, Nikki McCray Penson, at Thea in Phoenix on July 19, 2024
May 12, 2025

Sheryl Swoopes: A’ja Wilson Shoe Campaign Shows Nike Sea Change

Nike released the Air Swoopes in 1995.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
January 15, 2025

State Farm Cancels Planned Super Bowl Ad Amid California Fires Controversy

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; From left: Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears on the ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown set before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
December 17, 2024

A ‘Wave’ of Sports Content Is Coming to TikTok

The next generation is consuming sports in a different way.
Apr 7, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy (left) and Brooks Koepka set up to putt on no. 9 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament.
exclusive
November 27, 2024

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf TV ‘Showdown’ Will Pay Out $10M Crypto..

Two golfers from each tour will face off in Las Vegas.