Even before Brooks Koepka’s exit, the “Scientist” was the face of the league. Now he holds all the cards. An analysis.
The latest news first: Brooks Koepka was met with neither jeers nor cheers during his first appearance on the driving range at Torrey Pines by former and current colleagues. At most, the LIV returnee was met with friendly indifference, and even Wyndham Clark, a declared skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, has remained quiet so far.
Koepka’s Exit and Its Impact on LIV Golf
“I am a little nervous. Some players won’t be happy about how things have turned out,” the 35-year-old acknowledged some time ago. At a press conference yesterday, he politely thanked the PGA Tour for the opportunity and revealed that his first phone call after confirming his comeback was to Tiger Woods, the influential figure behind the scenes in Ponte Vedra Beach.
But wait, wasn’t this article meant to be about Bryson DeChambeau? It is. But the Koepka saga is an unavoidable introduction. The departure of the Florida giant has profoundly shaken the foundation of the LIV Golf league. The Saudi-backed circuit suddenly loses 33.3% of its assets. Koepka was one who brought public prestige and swagger — a five-time major winner, flashing the glamorous Jena Sims by his side, and one of two LIV players to win a major during their time on the rival circuit. The other is DeChambeau, the 2020 and 2024 U.S. Open champion, and an exceptional figure in many respects.
DeChambeau’s Dominance and Contract Negotiations
The third highly valuable asset is arguably Jon Rahm, not just from a European perspective. Beyond that, the LIV personnel roster fades into insignificance — a bit of Sergio Garcia, maybe some Joaquin Niemann. Patrick Reed stands out, tainted by allegations regarding his Masters win in 2018. Dustin Johnson missing the cut at the Hero Dubai Desert hardly causes a stir. Tyrrell Hatton clearly interests more than Cameron Smith. And who exactly was Phil Mickelson again?
This brings us finally to Bryson DeChambeau. LIV lives and breathes through the 32-year-old Texan by choice. The feeling may not be mutual. BDC recently said he could imagine playing only the majors for the rest of his career while focusing on his YouTube channel with the hit show “Break 50” and over three million followers, which brings him a nice additional income.
This position gives him leverage in ongoing negotiations to extend his contract beyond 2026. Koepka’s fall back to the establishment nearly grants DeChambeau a monopoly position. He knows this well. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, the “Scientist,” who has long since shed the “mad” label, is demanding a guaranteed $500 million for a multi-year contract extension along with significant influence over the further development of the team-based franchise model. Understandable.