Justin Rose turned down 'absurd' LIV Golf offer before taking his earnings up to £54million

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Justin Rose turned down 'absurd' LIV Golf offer before taking his earnings up to £54million
Justin Rose set a new PGA record with his victory at the St Jude Championship, having previously explained his reason for turning down an offer to join LIV Golf
Justin Rose celebrated winning his 12th PGA Tour title at the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis
(Image: Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Justin Rose revealed he rejected a huge offer from LIV Golf because he was determined to win more major championships.
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The 45-year-old has become the oldest European to claim a PGA victory in the modern era, following his triumph at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Throughout much of the tournament in Memphis, it appeared that Tommy Fleetwood was poised to secure his first PGA title, but the Englishman relinquished a two-stroke advantage in the final three holes.
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This set up a showdown between Rose and recent US Open champion J.J. Spaun after both ended on 16-under-par. Rose prevailed in their three-hole playoff to secure his 12th PGA victory and first since 2023. The win provided extra justification for Rose, who previously admitted to rejecting an absurd amount of money to join LIV due to his ambition to add to his 2013 US Open crown.
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"That was a primary factor and, hey, it's almost paid off," Rose told The Telegraph in May. "I've finished runner-up in the last two majors and would I have even been playing if I'd switched across? Who knows? I have no regrets."
He earned considerable praise at the Masters despite missing out on the green jacket to Rory McIlroy during a memorable playoff at Quail Hollow. Rose's disappointment at the Masters had followed a T2 placing at The Open last year and he spoke candidly about his motivation to claim more major titles.
"I need to know I'm not deluding myself," Rose admitted. "I need to know that I can still do it and this quest for another big one, or two, whatever, is not a forlorn task.
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"That's crucial to me. Sometimes you don't know when you're right in the thick of it. But I have been close – there have been five second places in the majors since Merion. And I feel like I've been closer than ever of late and the record shows it."
Justin Rose narrowly missed out on the Masters to Rory McIlroy in April
(Image: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Rose has secured runner-up or T2 finishes at the Masters on three occasions and claimed T2 twice at The Open. Despite capturing Olympic gold and helping Europe win four Ryder Cups, Rose's accomplishments remain somewhat overlooked.
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After his brilliant performance at the Masters, Rose experienced a temporary slump in form. The upturn came in his sixth place at the Scottish Open last month before securing a tie for 16th at The Open before the St Jude Championship.
On Sunday, Rose maintained his composure as Fleetwood crumbled in the closing stages. The 45-year-old relished his playoff triumph over Spaun and was thrilled to see his meticulous preparation rewarded with a £2.6million ($3.6m) windfall. He may have turned down LIV's proposal but Rose has a huge net worth and his St Jude win takes his career earnings on the PGA Tour to £54.5m ($73.1m).
Justin Rose claimed his 12th PGA title after defeating JJ Spaun in a play-off
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"I hit a couple good putts in regulation and in the first playoff hole as well," Rose said after his victory. "Obviously J.J. dropped a bomb on me, I topped him. It was a lot of fun today.
"That's why I practice. That's why I play. I've been saying for some time now, obviously Augusta, when I bring my best, I know I'm good enough to play and to compete, and to now win against the best players in the world. Very gratifying day for me and a lot of hard work coming to fruition."
When quizzed about his composure during the playoff, Rose told reporters: "Yeah, I've always known I've had that. I get nervous with the best of them. I feel nervous at times. But I know when it matters, I've still got it.
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"I kind of feel better and better and better as it gets more important. That's good to know. It's hard stuff to practice, hard stuff to teach. Nice to know that hasn't left me at this ripe old age," he joked.