Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia split with long-time sponsors
By Matt Chivers
The pair of Masters champions have worn the same clothes for a combined 35 years, but the LIV golfers’ deals have been ended. Matt Chivers explains why
Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia have parted ways with long-term apparel provider Adidas.
Reports suggest Adidas haven’t re-signed the LIV Golf players as they don’t have the brand’s logo on their caps, nor do have enough days on television to make the relationships worthwhile.
Viewers could watch the Masters champions on a free-to-air YouTube stream, as well as LIV’s website in its maiden season, but that will be limited to the CW Network in the United States after they struck a deal.
Johnson joined the Adidas staff team shortly after turning pro in 2007 and he went on to become one of the most dominant players on the PGA Tour with 24 wins and $75 million in earnings.
The 38-year-old banked another $18 million for winning LIV’s inaugural individual title in November, as well as earning another $4 million for his share of the team championship prize.
“I was with them for 15 years. We had a great relationship. It’s still really good,” Johnson said ahead of the LIV Golf Mayakoba Invitational. “We mutually agreed on parting ways.
“It just wasn’t working how it was just with – obviously playing for LIV and the way things kind of go. It was better for both of us to part ways.
“For me being the captain of the team, obviously being able to go out and find a clothing sponsor is more beneficial than waiting another year – we probably will have something.
“Hopefully my clothes get out of customs and I’ll have some stuff to wear by this weekend, but if not, I’ll be wearing some blank stuff.”
He made the surprise switch to what is now called the LIV Golf League last year, asserting he made the decision that was best for his family.
It is a decision that also led to RBC dropping him from a sponsorship deal. The same fate also followed former US Open champion Graeme McDowell.
“We’ve mutually agreed to part ways with long-time Adidas athlete, Dustin Johnson,” Adidas Golf president Jeff Lienhart told ESPN. “For more than 15 years, Dustin has been a great ambassador for the Adidas brand.
“We’ve had a front-row seat to see him win multiple major championships, ascend to the No 1 ranking and cement himself as one of the best golfers in history – all while wearing the three stripes. We wish Dustin nothing but success moving forward.”
In a recent interview, LIV Golf boss Greg Norman outlined the roles and responsibilities of the 12 team captains on the 48-man roster.
Johnson and Garcia will be tasked with respectively growing 4 Aces GC and Fireballs GC, bringing in team members to attract sponsorship and oversee the profit and loss of what are supposed to become franchises.
Garcia, who won the Masters in 2017, had been an Adidas staff player for more than 20 years. Both he and Johnson are still prominently associated with club manufacturers TaylorMade.
Interestingly, another LIV Golf signing, Joaquin Niemann, is still represented by Adidas.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
