Even before Brooks Koepka’s departure, ‘The Scientist’ was the face of the league. Now he holds all the cards. An analysis.
First the latest news: Brooks Koepka received neither animosity nor hostility from former and current colleagues upon his first appearance at the driving range at Torrey Pines. At most, the LIV returnee was met with friendly indifference; even Wyndham Clark, a declared skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, remained low-key.
Phone Call with Tiger Woods
‘I’m excited. There are definitely players who are happy and definitely players who will be angry. Some will not be happy with how everything turned out,’ the 35-year-old had stated some time ago. Yesterday, at the press conference for the Farmers Insurance Open, he graciously thanked for the opportunity and revealed that his first call upon being cleared to leave LIV went to Tiger Woods, the influential figure behind the scenes at Ponte Vedra Beach.
‘I wasn’t exactly sure how to proceed or approach 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 really counts…
‘I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my career and am very excited to be here. I’m very grateful to Brian Rolapp, Jay Monahan, Tiger Woods, and everyone who made this opportunity possible.’
Brooks Koepka
LIV Golf’s Dynamics Dramatically Changed
But wait, isn’t this article about Bryson DeChambeau? Yes. But we cannot start without mentioning Koepka’s case. The departure of the Florida giant has dramatically altered LIV Golf League’s dynamics. The Saudi-backed league suddenly lost 33.3 percent of its key assets.
Koepka was someone who commanded respect and status in the public eye, as a five-time major winner with the glamorous Jena Sims by his side. One of two LIV players who won a major during their time on the rival circuit, the other being DeChambeau, 2020 and 2024 US Open champion, and an exceptional player in many ways.
DeChambeau and Rahm: LIV’s Key Assets
The third valuable asset is arguably Jon Rahm, not just from a European perspective. Beyond them, LIV’s roster loses significance and relevance. There’s a bit of Sergio Garcia, possibly Joaquin Niemann.
Patrick Reed stands out more due to controversy around him, despite recently winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Dustin Johnson missing the cut there hardly raised eyebrows. Tyrrell Hatton is clearly more interesting than Cameron Smith. And Phil Mickelson? Rory McIlroy is right when he says: ‘They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don’t think they will.’
Only Majors and YouTube?
Which brings us to Bryson DeChambeau. LIV lives