Even before Koepka’s departure, the ‘Scientist’ was the face of LIV Golf. Now he holds all the cards. An analysis.
The latest news first: Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines was met with polite indifference from both former and current colleagues, including Wyndham Clark, a noted skeptic of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program.
Phone Call with Tiger Woods
\”I’m excited. There are definitely players who are happy and others who are angry. Some won’t be pleased with how everything played out,\” the 35-year-old had said earlier. At the Farmers Insurance Open press conference, Koepka expressed gratitude for the opportunity and revealed his first call upon getting clearance to leave LIV went to Tiger Woods, the influential figure behind the scenes at Ponte Vedra Beach. \”I wasn’t sure how to handle things with the PGA Tour, and Tiger was the first person that came to mind since I always had a good relationship with him.\” Koepka knows exactly whose approval matters most.
LIV’s Landscape Dramatically Changed
Koepka’s departure has significantly shifted the dynamics within LIV Golf. The Saudi-backed organization lost a key asset representing 33.3% of its active stars. As a five-time major winner and one of only two LIV players who claimed a major during the rival circuit’s existence—the other being Bryson DeChambeau, US Open champion in 2020 and 2024—Koepka was a marquee figure.
Only DeChambeau and Rahm as True Assets
After them, Jon Rahm stands out as another valuable player, appreciated beyond a European perspective. The rest of LIV’s roster blends into insignificance, with a few names like Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann who barely move the needle. Patrick Reed generates attention due to controversies, while recent tournament results for Dustin Johnson and others have little impact. Rory McIlroy summed it up: \”They haven’t signed anyone who really matters, and I don’t think they will.\”\n
Majors and YouTube: DeChambeau’s LIV Plan
Ultimately, Bryson DeChambeau is LIV’s cornerstone. Recently, he mentioned considering playing only the majors and focusing on his YouTube channel \”Break 50,\” which boasts nearly three million followers and brings in an estimated $800,000 annually, a figure that is growing.
\”I Have a Contract to Fulfill\”
DeChambeau’s contract, valid through 2026, gives him a strong position in ongoing negotiations. Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour strengthens the Establishment’s grip, while DeChambeau maintains a near-monopoly within LIV Golf. His measured comments about the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program likely haven’t gone unnoticed by LIV executives.
Guaranteed Salary and Influence at LIV
The ‘Scientist’ holds all the cards and knows it. According to The Telegraph, he is demanding a guaranteed $500 million salary over a four-year extension and significant influence over the development of LIV’s team-based