PGA Tour golfers who are likely to defect to LIV Golf and accept big money contracts

Since its inception in 2021, LIV Golf has managed to attract a plethora of top golfing stars. The controversial Saudi-backed league has certainly caught the attention of PGA Tour professionals across the globe, offering attractive pay packages for less work compared to its competitors.

Over the years, big names such as Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm have all joined the league. However, there are rumours that more current PGA players could switch sides ahead of the 2025 season.

As the LIV Golf season concludes with the Team Championship in Dallas this week, it is expected that the organisation will be busy during the off-season trying to lure more big names from the PGA Tour. Speaking at last year's season finale in Miami, Mickelson revealed that he had spoken to several stars from both the PGA and DP World Tours who were interested in joining the new league.

Following these discussions, players like Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk signed deals with LIV, and it is possible that we could see similar moves this winter. Here, Express Sport provides a breakdown of all the big names who have been linked with a move to LIV Golf ahead of the 2025 season...

Hideki Matsuyama

Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf Investments, has made his intentions to sign Hideki Matsuyama very clear. The Japanese professional, currently ranked seventh in the Official World Golf Rankings, was confirmed as a target by LIV Golf earlier this year in February.

In a candid chat with Golf Digest, Norman confessed: "I'll give you another example. We've been trying to get Hideki Matsuyama. I don't mind admitting that. When Hideki won in L.A., what's the first thing I did? I said, 'Congratulations, Hideki. I'm proud of you, mate."

Matsuyama, 32, turned professional on the Japan Golf Tour in 2013 and triumphed in his second tournament, the Tsuyura Open, that same year. By 2014, he had qualified for the PGA Tour through non-member earnings. Over the past decade, he has celebrated ten victories on the Tour, including the 2014 Memorial and The Masters in 2021.

Adam Scott

Golf Magic suggests that Australian golfer Adam Scott could be on LIV's radar this winter. Described as "an established international player who is also a major champion", it might prove challenging to lure him away from the PGA Tour, where he sits on the policy board alongside Tiger Woods.

Scott has enjoyed a successful career with the PGA Tour, boasting 14 wins to date, including a 2004 Players Championship, a 2006 Tour Championship and a 2020 Genesis Invitational. He also clinched The Masters title in 2019, defeating Angel Cabrera in a nail-biting playoff.

Viktor Hovland

Viktor Hovland had the golfing community abuzz when hints surfaced of his potential jump to LIV Golf. Hovland, evidently torn, decided against the radical shift, explaining his decision in an interview with Golf Monthly.

He said: "At the end of the day, the question is 'What's going to make me a better player? 'And hey, in 20 years, if I'm on the back end of my career, playing LIV Golf wouldn't be too bad. It might have been a pretty cool opportunity but, right now, it's something I think I'd probably look back [on] and regret."

With a youthful 27 years to his name and six PGA Tour victories under his belt, including an impressive third-place showing at this year's PGA Championship, Hovland appears poised to remain with the PGA Tour for the foreseeable future.

Rickie Fowler

Golf sensation Rickie Fowler has also been on Greg Norman's wishlist for the controversial LIV Golf series. Despite being tempted by what's said to be a massive financial lure, Fowler chose fidelity over fortune, remaining with the PGA Tour. His rationale was captured on Netflix's Full Swing: "[Joining LIV] wasn't the best choice for me.

"I'm not out there playing for a pay check, I'm out there playing to compete with the best players in the world and I believe the Tour is the best place to be. I'd like to see it continue to be like that." Fowler boasts six PGA Tour victories, including the 2015 Players Championship and a recent win at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Tony Finau

In the realm of golfing decisions, Tony Finau reportedly came close to jumping ship to LIV Golf this year. Despite the temptation, he stayed loyal to the PGA Tour for his tenth season. With a four-month break allowing for LIV talent scouts to potentially sway opinions, Finau's commitment could be tested in the approach to 2025.

Finau has accumulated nine professional triumphs, with six on the PGA Tour, debuting with the 2016 Puerto Rico Open win and most recently celebrating victory at the 2023 Mexico Open. Though he has yet to secure a major, he's been close with a third-place finish at the 2019 Open Championships and T3 at the 2024 US Open.

Wyndham Clark

Wyndham Clark, meanwhile, was tipped to join Jon Rahm on the LIV Golf circuit during the 2024 off-season but ultimately chose to remain with the PGA. The 30-year-old from Denver, Colorado revealed a degree of interest in opportunities with the rival tour, confessing: "I definitely met with LIV and went through those discussions. I wanted to see what they could bring to the table."

Despite only having three PGA Tour victories under his belt, Clark managed to outshine golfing superstar Rory McIlroy at last year's US Open. It remains to be seen whether LIV will approach him for a potential deal this winter.