LIV Golf Ends $200M Deals 😱 | Mickelson, DJ & Koepka Face a Harsh New Reality in 2026
LIV Golf’s “players’ paradise” dream is officially over. 😮 Once known for its jaw-dropping $200 million signing bonuses and luxurious freedom, the league is taking a shocking new turn heading into 2026. 💰
Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau were once the poster boys of LIV’s golden era — massive guarantees, fewer events, and total player control. But that era is gone. 🚫
According to new reports, LIV Golf is rewriting the rulebook on contracts. No more nine-figure guarantees. No more upfront payouts. Instead, players must now earn their money through performance — prize purses, data-driven results, and team success. 📊🔥
The Drop Zone claimed big names like Henrik Stenson and Anthony Kim 😬, while others like Ian Poulter narrowly survived by a single shot! As team purses double to $10 million and franchises embrace sports-analytics recruitment models, the message is clear — perform or be replaced. ⛳
Phil Mickelson’s silence says it all. With his $200 million deal set to expire at the end of 2025, even “Lefty” isn’t immune to LIV’s cold, new business reality.
🎥 Watch as we break down how LIV’s entire system has transformed — from free-spending spectacle to ruthless, data-driven competition. The new LIV isn’t just about money anymore… it’s about survival. 💥
👇 Let us know in the comments — do you think this is the end of the LIV Golf era we knew? Or just the beginning of something even bigger?
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Remember when Elivy Golf promised to be a player’s paradise? The league once offered unmatched freedom, eyepopping guaranteed contracts, and a better work life balance. Phil Mickelson raved about the excitement and energy when he joined in 2022. Dustin Johnson reportedly pocketed $200 million just for signing. Brooks Kepka and Bryson Dshambo each secured deals between $125 million and $130 million upfront. That era is officially over as LIV golf heads into 2026. The league’s approach has shifted dramatically. According to at Flushing at Golf, players with contracts nearing expiration are negotiating extensions, but the deals look nothing like the massive upfront payouts that once defined Livy. Under the new structure, signing bonuses are gone. Player earnings now come primarily from performance-based prize money. Teams are relying on data analysis models inspired by the sports betting world to identify talent, prioritizing players who fit LIV’s unique format and can deliver immediate results. Meanwhile, team purses are doubling from $5 million to $10 million, making the upcoming off season the most crucial yet for roster building. Phil Mickelson, whose $200 million contract expires at the end of 2025, has stayed notably quiet amid the policy change. His silence is a stark contrast to the vocal enthusiasm he showed for the league in 2022. Negotiations under these new terms will be far different with much higher stakes for every franchise and player. The challenge comes in a sharper focus thanks to LIIV’s ruthless drop zone system. Six players, including Henrik Stinson, 2016 Open Champion and Mage Stickix’s GC co- captain, fell into the drop zone after finishing 49th or lower in the seasonl long standings. Stinson ended the season with just 6.12 points, while teammate Ian Poulter narrowly avoided relegation by birdieing four of his last five holes. The difference, a mere 0.38 points, essentially a single shot. Other notable casualties include Anthony Kim, whose comeback ended in disappointment after failing to earn a point in 23 LIIV events over two seasons. Andy Ogalry, Mido Pereira, Eubin Jen, and Frederick Jetup also lost their roster spots. Players ranked 25th through 48th now sit in the open zone, facing uncertainty as teams can trade or release them at any time. Even big names like Lee Westwood, Trell Hatton, and Richard Bland now operate without guaranteed contracts. Relegated players have limited options. They can attempt to come back at December’s LIIV Promotions event in Riad or through strong performances on the Asian Tours International Series. Teams can advocate for certain players, but most relegated stars face a stark reality. No guarantees, no safety net. Alive Golf’s early era of nine figure guarantees is gone. Today, teams operate like professional sports franchises. Data driven, performance focused, and ruthless. Results are everything, and only those who deliver can secure their place in this highstakes new world.
