MIAMI — Bryson deChambeauESPN reported that he was still a plaintiff in LIV Golf’s federal antitrust suit against the PGA Tour, because the PGA Tour will not pay him a $1.75million bonus as part of its Player Impact program.
DeChambeau spoke to ESPN before he played in the LIV Golf Championship Pro-Am at Trump National Doral Golf Club. He said that the PGA Tour paid him only half the $3.5 million bonus he earned for finishing fifth in the inaugural PIP standings of 2021.
DeChambeau stated that it is not about the money, but the principle. Its the manner you deal with situations.
DeChambeau stated that he received his $1.75 million first payment on February 15. He stated that he needed to play in a regular PGA Tour tournament he hadn’t played in the past four seasons and also make an appearance at a charity tournament.
DeChambeau claimed that he fulfilled his first requirement by participating in the Valero Texas Open, which took place in April. DeChambeau stated that he tried to fulfill second requirement by appearing at a charity event in Dallas for First Tee next month. DeChambeau said that he was not a PGA Tour Member in good standing when he tried to fulfill the second requirement.
DeChambeau stated, They said that you werent in good standing and we wouldnt allow your to do something to help junior golfers. To me, thats childish. It only shows their emotional state. It is something I understand and respect. However, when you have completed something and provided entertainment last year, thats why Im involved in the lawsuit.
ESPN reached out to The PGA Tour Thursday for comment but the tour didnt immediately reply.
DeChambeau, who has eight PGA Tour wins, including the 2020 U.S Open, joined LIV Golf June 10. According to reports, he was awarded a guaranteed contract worth more that $125 million.
DeChambeau, a 29-year-old LIV Golf player, was one of 11 who sued the PGA Tour in California federal court on Aug. 3. They claimed that the tour was using its monopoly power in order to suppress competition and that it had discouraged vendors, TV networks and other companies from working alongside LIV Golf. LIV Golf was accused of interfering and violating its contracts with players by the PGA Tour.
LIV Golf joined the lawsuits plaintiffs on Aug. 28, with eight players. Eight players, including six-time major champion, have been playing since then. Phil Mickelson, have withdrawn themselves from the case. DeChambeau, Matt JonesAnd Peter UihleinRemain as plaintiffs
It has been really frustrating over these six years that weve had to cope with. [the PGA Tour], DeChambeau said. Its always frustration after frustration that they dont handle things correctly.
Two-time Masters champion Bubba WatsonLIV Golf also joined Watson, but he isnt participating this season due to a knee injury. On Thursday, ESPN reported that he didn’t receive the second part of his PIP Bonus from the PGA Tour. Watson was 10th in 2021s PIP standings. He was due to receive a bonus of $3 million.
Watson stated that he has not received all of his money for a prize he won two years ago.
Watson, like DeChambeau said that he didn’t fulfill the second requirement by appearing in a charity event.
Watson said, They canceled me a few more times. Watson stated, They canceled me a few more times. They cancelled the event. If you take a look at it on paper, you will see that I did not fulfill my duty. However, I tried my best.
Watson was asked how much of the $1.5million he owes he would be able to pay back and he responded, Its good. I have been very blessed in all aspects of my life. I will be able eat.
MIckelson was second in PIP standings and was to receive $6 million. Two other LIV golfers also participated. Dustin JohnsonAnd Brooks KoepkaThey were also among the top 10, and each received $3 million. It is not clear if Mickelson, Johnson, and Koepka received all of their bonuses.
To reward players who generated positive interest in the PGA Tour the previous year, the PGA Tour created the PIP program. The players were graded using a variety of metrics including TV exposure, social media, and TV exposure.
The PGA Tour gave $40 million to the top PIP finishers; Tiger WoodsFinish first and win $8 million The PGA Tour increased PIP pool to $50 Million for 2022.
