‘Come Ahead of My Career’: $36M Exploits Take a Backseat as Talor Gooch Admits the Heartfelt Reason Behind His LIV Golf Switch

Talor Gooch is on cloud nine. Not because he joined Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC. Neither because he pocketed $36M in one season. But for a rather simple reason that he can finally spend some time with his family, and take his daughter to school. Gooch is grateful that LIV Golf has allowed him the opportunity to don the father’s hat for an extended period of time. 

His team captain echoed similar sentiments earlier, and most recently Jon Rahm spoke glowingly about the free time he has to spend time with his children. The Spaniard played in 23 tournaments this year, while Rory McIlroy teed off in 21. PGA Tour Championship winner Viktor Hovland stepped on the greens a whopping 27 times this year. Compare that to Gooch, who played 18 tournaments, or Koepka’s 18 outings and Cameron Smith’s 19, you will understand why Gooch had an ear-to-ear smile.

Talor Gooch wants to spend more time with family

Talor Gooch admits having more family time was a part of the equation while joining LIV Golf. The 14-events calendar offers more time for the golfer to spend time with family. Gooch says, “It was, without a doubt, one of the things I weighed when, you know, making the decision to play, LIV golf. As a human and a father, are going to always, come ahead of my career” 

LIV Golf Miami in October was the last competitive event the LIV Golf Pro played. In all likelihood, Talor Gooch won’t tee off before February when the next season kicks off in Mayakoba. The lengthy sabbatical is a welcome change for the former PGA Tour Pro. 

Gooch admits in the Fairway to Heaven podcast, earlier he “didn’t get to spend as much time together and had, you know, miss(ed) birthdays and missed, you know, births and you know, all this stuff.” His professional career never gave him that leeway. 

That is why he doesn’t take it for granted. Gooch was “taking Collins, my daughter, to school.” “I want to make the most of it and spend as much time as I can with my family,” Gooch confesses with a smile. In fact, the 2023 LIV Golf Individual champion is awaiting his second child in a week and a half. However, it also reminds him of the time when he had to leave his first child in the NICU and leave for a tournament.

Gooch’s scariest overseas flight

July 7 was supposed to be special for Gooch. However, the newborn had to be admitted to the NICU due to health complications. The mother and daughter had to stay in the hospital till Sunday noon. But Gooch had to leave on Sunday morning, “two hours before they were discharged from the hospital,” to play in a tournament.

Read More: Despite Earning $36M on LIV Golf in 2023, Talor Gooch Reveals His Bizarre ‘Superstitious Tendencies’ in Latest Confession

The overseas flight that day was one of the most nerve-wracking journeys he undertook. What was the former PGA Tour pro thinking? “If this thing goes down I’m never gonna be able to live with myself.” Fortunately, Gooch’s daughter came out of the hospital healthy, but that has taught Gooch an important lesson. Don’t take family time for granted.

Watch This Story: 3 Major Takeaways as Viktor Hovland Breaks Silence on Jon Rahm’s $566 Million LIV Golf Move