Before Koepka’s departure, the ‘Scientist’ was the face of LIV Golf. Now he holds all the cards. Here’s an in-depth look.
The latest news first: Brooks Koepka’s first appearance at the Torrey Pines driving range was met neither with hostility nor warmth by former and renewed colleagues. At most, the LIV returnee was met with polite indifference, with Wyndham Clark, a declared skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, staying unruffled so far.
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 went,\” the 35-year-old had previously stated. At the press conference for the Farmers Insurance Open, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and revealed that his first call after being cleared to leave LIV was to Tiger Woods, the key figure behind the scenes in Ponte Vedra Beach.
\”I wasn’t sure what to do or how to approach things [with the PGA Tour], and Tiger was the first person that came to mind since I always had a good relationship with him.\” Koepka knows exactly whose approval counts…
\”I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my career and am thrilled to be here. I am very grateful to Brian Rolapp, Jay Monahan, Tiger Woods, and everyone who made this opportunity possible.\”
Brooks Koepka
LIV Golf’s Dynamics Changed Dramatically
But wait, isn’t this article about Bryson DeChambeau? Yes, but we can’t start without addressing Koepka’s situation. His departure drastically shifted LIV Golf’s dynamics. The Saudi-funded league instantly lost a third of its star power.
Koepka was a public figure who commanded attention: a five-time major winner, accompanied by the glamorous Jena Sims, and one of only two LIV players to have won a major during their time on the rival circuit. The other? DeChambeau—the 2020 and 2024 U.S. Open champion and a unique figure in many respects.
Only DeChambeau and Rahm as Key Assets
The third valuable asset in LIV’s ranks is likely Jon Rahm, not just from a European perspective. Beyond that, LIV’s roster fades into insignificance. Maybe a little Sergio Garcia or Joaquin Niemann.
Patrick Reed stands out due to controversy and recent wins, including the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Dustin Johnson missing the cut there hardly matters. Tyrrell Hatton is more notable than Cameron Smith. And? Phil Mickelson’s significance has diminished.
Rory McIlroy summed it up well: \”They haven’t signed anyone who really moves the needle, and I doubt they will.\”
Majors and YouTube as Focus?
That brings us finally to Bryson DeChambeau. LIV lives and breathes through the