Even before Koepka’s departure, the ‘Scientist’ was the face of LIV Golf. Now, he holds all the cards. An analysis.
First the current news: Brooks Koepka was met with neither cheers nor jeers by former and current colleagues during his first appearance at the Torrey Pines driving range. At most, the LIV returnee encountered friendly indifference. Even Wyndham Clark, a declared skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, remained unobtrusive.
Phone Call with Tiger
\”I’m excited. There are definitely players who are happy and definitely players who will be upset. Some won’t be pleased with how things have gone,\” the 35-year-old had stated a while ago. Yesterday, at the press conference for the Farmers Insurance Open, he thanked those who gave him the opportunity and revealed that the first person he called after his release from LIV was Tiger Woods, the influential power behind the scenes in Ponte Vedra Beach.
\”I wasn’t sure exactly what to do or 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 truly matters.
LIV Golf’s Dynamics Significantly Changed
But wait, isn’t this article supposed to be about Bryson DeChambeau? It is. However, it’s impossible to start without mentioning Koepka’s case. The departure of the giant from Florida has drastically changed LIV Golf’s dynamics. The Saudi-backed league suddenly lost 33.3% of its star power.
Koepka was one the few players who gave LIV public credibility as a five-time major winner, accompanied by the glamorous Jena Sims. He is one of only two LIV players to have won a major during their time on the rival circuit. The other is DeChambeau, US Open champion in 2020 and 2024, and an exceptional figure in many respects.
Only DeChambeau and Rahm as Key Assets
Third in the line of valuable assets is probably Jon Rahm, not only under a European perspective. Beyond them, LIV’s roster fades into insignificance—some Sergio Garcia, perhaps a bit of Joaquin Niemann.
Patrick Reed stands out due to controversies surrounding him, though he recently won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Dustin Johnson missing the cut in the same event barely raised any eyebrows. Tyrrell Hatton is clearly more interesting than Cameron Smith. And, who was Phil Mickelson again?
Rory McIlroy is right when he says, \”They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don’t think they will.\”
Majors and YouTube Only?
This brings us firmly back to Bryson DeChambeau. LIV lives through the 32-year-old Texan. The reverse is not necessarily true. BDC recently said he could imagine playing only the majors for the rest of his career and focusing elsewhere on his YouTube channel “Break 50,” with nearly