Even before Brooks Koepka’s departure, ‘The Scientist’ was the face of LIV Golf. Now he holds all the cards. An in-depth look.
Brooks Koepka’s first appearance at the Torrey Pines driving range after returning to the PGA Tour was met with indifferent and polite responses from former and renewed colleagues. Even outspoken critic Wyndham Clark has remained subdued regarding the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program.
Phone Call with Tiger Woods
\”I’m excited. There are definitely players who are happy and some who will be angry. Some won’t be pleased with how everything played out,\” the 35-year-old had stated earlier. At the Farmers Insurance Open press conference, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and revealed that his first call after the LIV exit clearance was to Tiger Woods, the influential figure behind the scenes at Ponte Vedra Beach.
\”I wasn’t sure how to proceed with the PGA Tour, and Tiger was the first person I thought of since I’ve always had a good relationship with him.\” Koepka clearly knows whose approval matters most.
LIV’s Landscape Dramatically Shifted
But this story leads to Bryson DeChambeau. Koepka’s exit has significantly altered LIV Golf’s stability, wiping out about 33.3% of its assets. Koepka was a marquee player — a five-time major champion, with the glamorous Jena Sims by his side, and one of only two LIV players to have won majors during the circuit’s existence. The other is DeChambeau, the 2020 and 2024 US Open champion, known for his exceptional stature in golf.
Only DeChambeau and Rahm Remain Major Assets
Jon Rahm remains a valuable asset, especially from the European perspective. Beyond them, LIV’s roster has faded into irrelevance. Players like Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann offer little star power. Patrick Reed attracts attention mainly due to controversy despite recently winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, whereas Dustin Johnson missing the cut in the same event has gone unnoticed. Rory McIlroy summed it up: \”They haven’t signed anyone who really moves the needle, and I don’t think they will.\”
The Future: Majors and YouTube?
This brings the focus squarely to Bryson DeChambeau, LIV’s key figure. LIV lives and breathes through the 32-year-old Texas native. He recently revealed he might focus solely on majors going forward, while dedicating more time to his YouTube channel \”Break 50,\” boasting nearly three million followers and generating an estimated $800,000 annually — and growing.
Contract and Control: DeChambeau Holds the Cards
DeChambeau is negotiating an extension of his contract through 2026, holding a nearly monopolistic position after Koepka’s return to the establishment. His cool demeanor when discussing the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program struck a measured tone, saying simply, \”I have a contract until 2026 and look forward to this year,\” which was far from a love