{"id":29964,"date":"2025-07-29T01:19:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T01:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/29964\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T01:19:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T01:19:14","slug":"liv-golf-star-reaches-43m-as-ex-ryder-cup-ace-who-beat-rory-mcilroy-refuses-prize-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/29964\/","title":{"rendered":"LIV Golf star reaches \u00a343m as ex-Ryder Cup ace who beat Rory McIlroy refuses prize money"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The world of golf continues to buzz with headline-grabbing drama, surprise developments and eye-catching storylines involving some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_GettyImages-2225171761.jpg\" alt=\"Rory McIlroy reacts at the Open Championship\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>The man who once edged out Rory McIlroy to win a tournament has now made headlines again &#8211; this time by turning down the prize money(Image: 2025 Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The final major of the season might be done and dusted, but the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">golfing<\/a> landscape is still ablaze with stories of triumph, redemption, and jaw-dropping earnings. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/scottie-scheffler\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Scottie Scheffler&#8217;s<\/a> recent <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/breaking-scottie-scheffler-wins-open-35587415\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">victory at The Open Championship<\/a> further solidified his dominance, clinching another major title with a masterful performance at Royal Portrush, pushing his <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/pga-tour-1\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">PGA Tour<\/a> earnings this season above the \u00a314million mark.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">But the American isn&#8217;t the only one making a killing, with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/liv-golf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">LIV Golf&#8217;s<\/a> lucrative purses propelling players like Joaquin Niemann to new financial heights. Elsewhere, a former <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/ryder-cup\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ryder Cup<\/a> star who once outshone <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/rory-mcilroy\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Rory McIlroy<\/a> made headlines by turning down prize money after a stunning return.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Meanwhile, McIlroy himself turned heads with an expected appearance, and Kurt Kitayama etched his name into PGA Tour history with an extraordinary feat. Here, Mirror Sport provides a roundup of the latest news from the fairways.<\/p>\n<p>Niemann&#8217;s LIV Golf riches soar<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Joaquin Niemann&#8217;s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/articles\/c0qlzej2nxlo\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"victory at LIV Golf UKLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">victory at LIV Golf UK<\/a> on Sunday added another \u00a33m to his already impressive earnings, pushing his total LIV prize money to \u00a343m. The Chilean star, who missed the cut at The Open, has now played 43 events in the Saudi-backed series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">His latest triumph at JCB <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Golf<\/a> and Country Club in England saw him outpace a strong field, cementing his status as one of LIV&#8217;s top earners. With \u00a343m banked, Niemann trails only <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/talor-gooch\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Talor Gooch<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/dustin-johnson\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dustin Johnson<\/a> in the LIV money list.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">This year, however, he&#8217;s top of the earnings table with \u00a315.8m collected, edging out big-name stars like <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bryson-dechambeau\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bryson DeChambeau<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/jon-rahm\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jon Rahm.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_GOLF-LIV-GBR.jpg\" alt=\"Joaquin Niemann poses with the LIV Golf UK title         \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Joaquin Niemann lifted the title in Rocester(Image: JUSTIN TALLIS, AFP via Getty Images)Dubuisson refuses prize money<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Victor Dubuisson, the enigmatic Frenchman who <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/616229\/Victor-Dubuisson-Ryder-Cup-wins-Turkish-Open-second-time\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"pipped Rory McIlroy to win the 2015 Turkish Airlines Open,Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">pipped Rory McIlroy to win the 2015 Turkish Airlines Open,<\/a> made a sensational return to competitive golf by clinching the Biarritz Cup on the Alps Tour. The former Ryder Cup star, who retired in 2023 to focus on coaching, fired rounds of 62-65-61 to win in a playoff against Jorge Maicas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Remarkably, Dubuisson declined the \u00a36,600 winner&#8217;s cheque, citing &#8220;a gesture of personal principle,&#8221; allowing Maicas to claim the top prize instead. The 35-year-old, who has been running clinics in Tenerife, hinted at a permanent comeback but remains undecided.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_GettyImages-1415729814.jpg\" alt=\"Dubuisson fell out of love with golf and wasn't interested by LIV Golf\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Dubuisson fell out of love with golf, but returned to take part in the Biarritz Cup(Image: 2022 Getty Images)McIlroy&#8217;s surprise appearance<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Rory McIlroy, fresh from a post-Open Championship holiday in France, made <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/sport\/golf\/rory-mcilroy-senior-open-championship-1293894\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"an unexpected appearance at the Senior OpenLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">an unexpected appearance at the Senior Open<\/a> at Carnoustie, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/scotland\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Scotland.<\/a> The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">world<\/a> No. 2, who has faced scrutiny after failing to keep <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/breaking-rory-mcilroy-wins-masters-35049297#:~:text=Rory%20McIlroy%20finally%20banished%20his,need%20to%20be%20so%20difficult.\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">his Masters momentum<\/a> going, was spotted supporting the over-50s field, including former Ryder Cup team-mates like <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/lee-westwood\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lee Westwood<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/padraig-harrington\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Padraig Harrington.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The Northern Irishman&#8217;s presence at the event sparked speculation about his late-season plans. While he didn&#8217;t compete, his attendance highlighted his enduring passion for the game and its history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">With all four majors in the rear-view mirror, McIlroy&#8217;s focus will now switch to next month&#8217;s Wyndham Championship, FedEx St. Jude Championship and BMW Championship as the season begins to wind down.<\/p>\n<p>Content cannot be displayed without consentKitayama&#8217;s record-breaking win<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Kurt Kitayama stormed to victory at the 3M Open, securing his second PGA Tour title in style and etching his name into the record books. The 32-year-old American carded an astonishing 20 birdies over the weekend, a feat not seen on the PGA Tour in over 40 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Finishing at -23, Kitayama held off a strong field, including Jake Knapp and Matt Wallace, to claim the title at TPC Twin Cities. With just two wins in 107 PGA Tour events, Kitayama&#8217;s performance signals a resurgence, raising hopes that he can challenge golf&#8217;s elite in future events.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The world of golf continues to buzz with headline-grabbing drama, surprise developments and eye-catching storylines involving some of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":29965,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[5904,11769,8693,2623,6547,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-29964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-golf","tag-golf","tag-liv-golf","tag-pga-tour","tag-rory-mcilroy","tag-ryder-cup","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29964\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}