Bryson DeChambeau was the face of the LIV Golf league even before Brooks Koepka’s departure. Now, with Koepka gone, DeChambeau holds all the cards in his hands.
First, the current news: Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour driving range at Torrey Pines was met with indifferent reception from former and current colleagues. Even Wyndham Clark, a known skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, has kept a low profile.
Call with Tiger Woods
Koepka, at 35, admitted recently, “I’m excited. There will definitely be players who are happy, and definitely players who will be angry. Some won’t be happy with how it all went.” At the press conference for the Farmers Insurance Open, Koepka thanked those who gave him the chance and revealed that his first call upon receiving clearance to leave LIV was to Tiger Woods, the influential figure behind the scenes at Ponte Vedra Beach. “I wasn’t sure how to handle things with the PGA Tour, and Tiger was the first person who came to mind as I’ve always had a good relationship with him.” Koepka clearly knows whose approval matters most.
LIV Golf’s Changing Dynamic
But this article is about Bryson DeChambeau, right? Indeed, but Koepka’s case sets the stage. His exit drastically changed LIV Golf’s landscape, removing a third of its star power. Koepka was one of the pride assets: a five-time major champion, with the glamorous Jena Sims by his side, and one of only two LIV players to win a major while in the rival circuit – the other being DeChambeau himself, US Open champion in 2020 and 2024, an exceptional figure in many respects.
Third key asset seems to be Jon Rahm, with Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann holding lesser roles. Patrick Reed remains known partly due to controversies, despite winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic recently, while many other LIV players lack similar influence. Rory McIlroy remarked that LIV hasn’t signed anyone who moves the needle lately, and he doesn’t expect that to change.
DeChambeau’s Influence and Future Plans
LIV’s survival depends heavily on 32-year-old Texan DeChambeau. He recently stated he could consider focusing exclusively on majors for the rest of his career while dedicating time to his YouTube channel “Break 50,” which boasts nearly three million followers and generates an estimated $800,000 per year with a rising trend.
In ongoing contract talks to extend his deal through 2026, DeChambeau holds a comfortable position. His almost monopolistic status in LIV means he sets the tone. The rather cold tone in his answers about the PGA Tour Returning Member Program likely didn’t escape LIV bosses, as his clipped statement “I have a contract until 2026 and am looking forward to this year” didn’t sound like a love letter.
Demanding a $500 Million Guarantee and Influence