Talor Gooch, who emerged as the second-highest earner in golf during the 2023 season, amassing close to $36 million, has opted to channel his earnings into a sport markedly distinct from golf.
In an intriguing move, Gooch has acquired ownership of a team set to participate in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) league for the ongoing 2024 season. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, this team, dubbed the Oklahoma Wildcatters, consists of a dozen riders.
Gooch’s acquisition will see the Oklahoma Wildcatters enter the PBR League alongside the New York Mavericks, the latter of which was purchased by Marc Lasry‘s Avenue Sports Fund. Lasry, a billionaire financier and former Milwaukee Bucks NBA team owner, secures his entry into bull riding with this move. The financial details behind Gooch’s investment in the Oklahoma Wildcatters remain undisclosed, yet The Wall Street Journal notes that starting bids for the new teams were pegged at $20 million.
Gooch expressed his strategy behind this venture to The Wall Street Journal, stating, “Our primary aim is to leverage the substantial earnings we’re now seeing and grow them further. The initial funding for these ventures ties back directly to the success I have on the golf course.” The PBR stands as the premier bull riding organization globally, boasting over 500 riders. It hosts multiple competitions, including a team tournament that was inaugurated in 2022.
This team tournament initially featured eight teams, each composed of seven main members and five alternates, spanning from the Arizona Ridge Riders to the Texas Rattlers.
Gooch clinched the individual title in the 2023 LIV Golf season, securing an $18 million bonus. This, combined with his total season earnings, brought his take-home to nearly $36 million, trailing only behind Viktor Hovland, who earned $38 million.
The 2024 season marks a new chapter for Gooch as he transitions to the Smash GC team. This move, especially his trade from Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats GC to Brooks Koepka’s team, sparked considerable discussion in the LIV Golf pre-season. Having competed in two LIV Golf events so far, Gooch finished 15th at Mayakoba and second in Las Vegas, earning him 30.50 points and placing him fourth in the season’s individual rankings.
Gooch’s team showcased their prowess by finishing seventh at Mayakoba and clinching victory in Las Vegas, positioning them third in the season’s rankings.
