Before Brooks Koepka’s exit, the ‘Scientist’ was the face of the league. Now, Bryson DeChambeau holds all the cards. An analysis.
First the latest: Brooks Koepka was met with neither hostility nor celebration during his first appearance at Torrey Pines’ driving range. The LIV returnee faced mostly indifferent former and current colleagues, with Wyndham Clark, a known skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, remaining low-key.
Call With Tiger Woods
“I’m excited. There are definitely players who are happy, and definitely players who will be angry. Some won’t be pleased with how things played out,” said the 35-year-old earlier. At the Farmers Insurance Open press conference, he thanked those who granted his release from LIV and revealed that his first call was to Tiger Woods, the key figure behind the scenes at Ponte Vedra Beach. “I wasn’t quite sure how to approach things with the PGA Tour, and Tiger was the first person who came to mind since I’ve always had a good relationship with him.” Koepka knows exactly whose approval really matters.
LIV Golf’s Changing Landscape
But should this piece be about Bryson DeChambeau? Yes. However, the Koepka situation must come first, as his departure has drastically shifted LIV Golf’s dynamics, removing a significant asset—33.3% of the league’s key players. Koepka was one of two LIV members to win a major while with the rival circuit, the other being DeChambeau, US Open champion in both 2020 and 2024, and a unique talent.
Only DeChambeau and Jon Rahm Remain Key Assets
Third valuable asset is arguably Jon Rahm, not only through a European perspective. After that, LIV’s player lineup fades into insignificance. There’s some Sergio Garcia, maybe Joaquin Niemann. Patrick Reed stands out due to controversy and recent Dubai Desert Classic victory, while Dustin Johnson missing the cut there was overlooked. Tyrrell Hatton is more interesting than Cameron Smith, and who was Phil Mickelson again? Rory McIlroy remarks: “They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don’t think they will.”
Majors and YouTube?
Which brings us to Bryson DeChambeau. LIV’s viability depends heavily on the 32-year-old Texan. DeChambeau recently stated he’d consider playing only majors for the rest of his career, focusing otherwise on his YouTube channel “Break 50” with nearly three million followers, earning an estimated $800,000 annually—rising steadily.
“I Have a Contract to Fulfill”
This leverage benefits him in renegotiating his contract through 2026. Koepka’s return to the establishment creates an almost monopolistic position. His cool tone on the PGA Tour Returning Member Program likely did not go unnoticed by LIV management. His brief “I have a contract through 2026 and