Before Brooks Koepka’s departure, the ‘Scientist’ was already the face of LIV Golf. Now, more than ever, Bryson DeChambeau holds all the cards. A closer look.
First the latest: Brooks Koepka faced no hostility or animosity from former and current colleagues during his first appearance at the Torrey Pines driving range. At most, the LIV returnee was met with friendly indifference, with even Wyndham Clark, a known skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, remaining inconspicuous.
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 went down,\” the 35-year-old had stated earlier. At the Farmers Insurance Open press conference, he politely thanked those who gave him the chance and revealed his first phone call was to Tiger Woods, the influential figure behind the scenes in Ponte Vedra Beach.
\”I didn’t know exactly what to do or how to approach things with the PGA Tour, and Tiger came to mind first, as I’ve always had a good relationship with him.\” Koepka clearly knows whose approval counts.
\”I’m looking forward to this new chapter of my career and am very excited to be here. I am very grateful to Brian Rolapp, Jay Monahan, Tiger Woods, and all who made this opportunity possible.\”
Brooks Koepka
LIV Golf’s Structure Fundamentally Changed
This article, however, focuses on Bryson DeChambeau. But the Koepka situation is a necessary introduction. The departure of the Floridian giant has dramatically altered the LIV Golf League’s dynamics, with the Saudi-backed organization suddenly missing 33.3% of its star assets.
Koepka was one of the prominent public faces, a five-time major winner, accompanied by the glamorous Jena Sims, and one of only two LIV players to win a major during their time on the rival circuit—the other being DeChambeau, the 2020 and 2024 US Open champion, and an exceptional player in many ways.
DeChambeau and Rahm: The Key Assets
The third key asset is arguably Jon Rahm, valuable from a European perspective as well. After them, the LIV roster fades into insignificance, with only some presence like Sergio Garcia or Joaquin Niemann. Patrick Reed draws attention largely due to controversy, despite winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic recently. Dustin Johnson missing the cut there went largely unnoticed. Tyrrell Hatton is more interesting than Cameron Smith, and who exactly is Phil Mickelson again? Rory McIlroy’s observation stands: \”They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don’t think they will.\”
Majors and YouTube Only?
Which brings us back to Bryson DeChambeau. LIV relies on the 32-year-old Texan star, though the feeling isn’t always