Bryson DeChambeau, the two-time US Open champion, has denied reports that he is seeking a way out of the beleaguered LIV Golf, the rebel series whose future appears uncertain after Saudi Arabian backers indicated they are withdrawing their multibillion-dollar sponsorship at the end of the 2026 season.
DeChambeau Refutes Exit Rumors
Reports last week suggested that DeChambeau's representatives had initiated talks with the PGA Tour regarding a possible return to the series five years after its launch. However, the 32-year-old American dismissed these claims as 'completely untrue' during an interview with Flushing It Golf. 'I'm working as hard as I can to find a solution,' he stated. 'I'm committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there's a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That's always been our mission and it's never been more true than now.'
LIV Golf's Financial Challenges
LIV Golf is currently seeking fresh backers following the decision by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) to scrap its $5 billion investment in golf, as part of a broader retreat from sports sponsorship. The move has raised questions about the organisation's ability to retain its biggest stars, including DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith. LIV had already appointed new board members tasked with raising finance before PIF confirmed its position. There is a strong possibility that the 2026 season could be LIV's last.
Junior Golf Initiative Underway
Despite the funding issues, LIV Golf is pressing ahead with new projects. DeChambeau revealed that the league is working on a junior golf initiative. 'We're building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each [LIV] team is looking to build junior golf academies,' he explained. 'That's something that we've been working on for almost three or four months now. We're looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I'd say, couple of months.'
Contract Negotiations and Commitment
DeChambeau joined LIV in June 2022 on a reported $125 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a $500 million deal to stay with LIV before the league's funding problems came to light. 'We're still working on a potential contract,' DeChambeau said. 'I haven't given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I've put a lot of effort into it. So that's what I'm going to do, we're going to make this work.'
Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams over its five years of operation, it is likely insufficient to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years. 'There's a lot of moving parts like in any business,' DeChambeau noted after withdrawing from last month's event in Mexico City. 'It's a startup, right? And so there's going to be times where we're squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I'm going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.'
