The full prizemoney breakdown for Greg Norman’s LIV golf opener is eye-watering

The breakdown of the $25m in prizemoney for Greg Norman’s first event is tantalising for some of the lower-ranked players involved.

Matt Jones has signed on for the LIV golf events. Picture: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The staggering levels of prizemoney on offer in Greg Norman‘s new LIV golf tour will mean all top six finishers in the opening event in London this month will each win in excess of $1m.

As Australian superstar Minjee Lee revelled in collecting $2.5m, the biggest single purse in women’s golf, by taking out the US Open, more details have emerged about the spoils on offer for the 48 players who signed up for the LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club in England.

In a field headlined by Masters champion Dustin Johnson, who shocked the golfing world by signing with the Saudi-backed tour, every player is guaranteed to walk away with a cheque at the no-cut, 54-hole event.

Only four of the world’s top 50 are playing, but it’s been reported that the top five finishers alone will share in more than $13m prizemoney, with $5.5m going to the winner.

That doesn’t include the extra $7m for the teams’ component of the event, which will feature four Australians, including 2019 Australian Open champ Matt Jones and reigning Australian PGA champion Jed Morgan.

To put the sums in context, Morgan received $180,000 for winning the PGA at Royal Queensland in January and is guaranteed at least $167,000 even if he finishes last at Centurion Club.

Morgan, the world No.239 who missed the cut at the Memorial Tournament in his US PGA Tour debut on the weekend, also won the Australian PGA Tour order of merit by earning a total of $190,408.77 last season.

LIV Golf sent its London participants a 30 page PDF detailing the event weekend.

Included:

- Full breakdown of payouts
- Information about a "casual red carpet event with a touch of LIV audacity"
- Travel & accommodation info (Covered by LIV) pic.twitter.com/afAEz5WLUr

— The Fried Egg (@the_fried_egg) June 2, 2022

Wade Ormsby, a 20-year tour pro with three worldwide wins, and Blake Windred, who has won just once in 63 events since he turned professional in 2019, are the other Australians to sign on with LIV golf.

Johnson, the former world No.1, has reportedly been paid a signing bonus of $125m to join LIV golf but it yet to publicly comment on his decision.

On the weekend Kevin Na made the “very difficult” decision to resign from the PGA Tour, fearing potential playing bans after he too joined Norman’s tour.

This was a very difficult decision for me. I hope my fans will continue to support me wherever I choose to play. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/3Vp2e7cPfH

— Kevin Na (@kevinna915) June 4, 2022

Last week Morgan told NCA NewsWire that he was comfortable with his decision despite some vocal critics lashing anyone who joined LIV because of the Saudi links to sportswashing.

“The opinions on the Saudi league are very mixed depending on which stage of your career you’re in,” Morgan said.

“My opinion is simple – I just want to take every opportunity I can to compete at this stage in my career and I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete regularly over the next four months in LIV.”

Jones, who will play multiple LIV events, also said he was doing what was best for his family amid concerns the decision could result in him being banned from defending his Australian Open title.