Professional golf has been thrashed by the amount of money awaiting those who play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series. The same holds true for golf's majors. 

The 2022 U.S. Open begins this week near Boston. Rory McIlroy is the +1000 favorite on betting sites according to the latest golf odds.

So just how much LIV money are we talking about, especially when compared to what’s available for players competing on the PGA Tour?

Well, two weeks ago, we were the first to note that the $125 million guaranteed to Dustin Johnson for his leap to LIV Golf was more than the roughly $121 million Tiger Woods has made playing in his 26 years as a pro.

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Woods is a billionaire, with more than 85% of this wealth coming from something other than playing as a pro. But you get the point. 

Johnson got his $125 million just for showing up. Phil Mickelson was paid $200 million for his move to LIV. 

Beyond this up-front money, the money available per tournament for the winners of LIV Golf events is significant. 

Schwartzel Gets $4 Million For LIV London

Charl Schwartzel won the individual stroke-play prize during LIV golf’s inaugural event in London. His winnings: A boffo $4 million. 

And that was after just 54 holes of competitive golf. Against a field of 47 other golfers. And with no cut. 

That equals $74,074.07 per hole played. 

Nothing on the Tour or among the majors comes close. 

McIlroy nabbed the PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open crown Sunday. He was among the golf betting favorites going into the tournament and overcame a fierce challenge by Tony Finau, going birdie-birdie on the final two holes of the 72-hole event to ice a 2-shot win. A total of 156 players began the tournament and 70 made the cut. 

McIlroy got $1,556,000 for his second consecutive Canadian Open win. Or $21,611.11 per hole played. Those who backed him on betting apps got a nice payout, too.

Meanwhile, Schwartzel earned 257% of what McIlroy did overall, or $47,962.96 more per hole. While playing 18 fewer holes.

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LIV Per-Hole Money Tops PGA Tour, Golf Majors

The winner of the U.S. Open, which tees off early Thursday morning at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, is set to earn $2,250,000. Over 72 holes, that equates to $31,250 per hole. But that number could plummet if the national championship goes into overtime. The U.S. Open requires an 18-hole playoff if two or more golfers are tied after the 72^nd hole. 

Here is a breakdown of the per-hole payout to the winner of the LIV Golf series and how it stacks up against notable PGA Tour stops and golf’s four majors. These numbers are all based on the tournaments ending in regulation play. 

Lefty Under Fire

Mickelson, who turns 52 this week, faced questions on Monday about his decision to play in the LIV Golf series, which is backed by a group tied to the Saudi royal family. Among those who criticized Mickelson were members of a group that represents families and survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and the widow of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered by Saudi agents in Turkey.

"I respect and I understand their opinions," Mickelson said Monday. "And I understand that they have strong feelings and strong emotions regarding this choice. And I certainly respect that."

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Mickelson added that it was the "right decision" for him to play in LIV Golf. Mickelson has finished in second place six times in the U.S. Open. It is the lone major he has yet to win. He currently has an exemption for the event through 2026. According to the latest US Open odds, he's available at +20000 to win this week.

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