Bryson DeChambeau has controversially stated that he would prioritise expanding his YouTube audience over a return to the PGA Tour if the LIV Golf circuit ceases to exist beyond this season. The two-time major winner risks being left in a golfing no-man's land after Saudi backers announced they would end their support for LIV at the conclusion of the season.
DeChambeau's PGA Tour contact
DeChambeau admitted this week that he is among many LIV rebels who have reached out to the PGA Tour to explore a potential pathway back, should LIV fail to secure alternative funding. With his contract expiring at the end of this year, the situation is urgent. However, the American was evidently unsatisfied with the response, as any route proposed by the PGA Tour would likely be less favourable than the terms he rejected earlier this year.
Speaking at LIV's latest event, held at Trump National in Washington DC, DeChambeau described the suggested sanctions attached to a return as "quite unfortunate in my opinion, considering what I could do for them."
DeChambeau's pulling power
While this may come across as entitlement, it is clear that DeChambeau holds significant influence in golf. His presence at the White House alongside Donald Trump on Tuesday highlighted his political capital, and the reality is that LIV would likely fade into irrelevance without him. As the struggling league seeks fresh investment, retaining DeChambeau is crucial, though his renewal demands are estimated to be as high as $500 million.
YouTube as a primary outlet
True to his character, DeChambeau is considering unconventional options. He has suggested that he might use his growing YouTube business as his main focus between major tournaments. Currently boasting over 2.5 million subscribers, he told ESPN: "I think, from my perspective, I'd love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more. I'd love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube. And then I'd love to play tournaments that want me."
The 32-year-old has been particularly stung by the Saudi withdrawal, for which he had no warning despite his close relationship with the kingdom's Public Investment Fund governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan. DeChambeau said: "I haven't had any communication. And unfortunately, things are moving on in a different direction. Obviously, they wanted to move on." He added: "I was completely shocked. I didn't expect it to happen. A couple months before that, it's like, 'We're here until 2032 – we've got financing until 2032', I haven't had any communication and obviously, they wanted to move on."
Negotiating position?
For now, DeChambeau remains committed to LIV, despite his talks with the PGA Tour, and has been involved in discussions about the league's post-Saudi rebuild. Golf insiders speculate that his preference for YouTube over the PGA Tour is a negotiating tactic aimed at securing a deal with fewer sanctions than those imposed on Brooks Koepka when he returned in January. The five-time major winner was required to pay $5 million to charity and must earn access to the PGA Tour's signature events. His five-year ineligibility for Tour equity grants has led to overall sanctions estimated, somewhat questionably, at $50 million.
