Bryson DeChambeau holds the key to LIV Golf's future

Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour has been seen as a major coup for new chief executive Brian Rolapp. 

It has to be said that for LIV Golf it probably wasn’t so much of a blow. In truth, Koepka has hardly been a shining star during his three years on the circuit funded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.

And the fact that Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau have turned down the opportunity to follow Koepka means that it has all barely caused a ripple.

However, that could all change for LIV if, in 12 months time, DeChambeau opts to follow his fellow American. His contract expires at the end of 2026 and it is being widely reported that DeChambeau wants $500m to sign on the dotted line once more.

It is an obscene amount of money. But DeChambeau knows his worth to LIV. He is their superstar. We often talk about sportsmen and women who move the needle - in golf, these would include Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. And would certainly include DeChambeau, a golfer who has a huge following on social media and has become a proper fan favourite wherever he plays. 

If you have any doubts about the impact DeChambeau has on the game I would take you back to the 2024 US PGA Championship, when he finished second to Xander Schauffele, and to the 2024 US Open when he defeated McIlroy with that astonishing bunker shot at the 72nd hole. The crowds at both tournaments went crazy for him and he loved every second of it. He had always divided opinion but those were the moments that changed everything. He played thrilling golf, played to the galleries and everybody finally fell in love with him.

And as bad as America played at the 2025 Ryder Cup, the New York galleries continued to warm to DeChambeau and treat him as one of their own.

If LIV lose him it really could signal the beginning of the end. As good as Rahm is, the Spaniard does not have what it takes to carry a tour. DeChambeau definitely does.

When asked if he might follow Koepka, DeChambeau said, "I'm contracted through 2026, so excited about this year".  It hardly sounded like a ringing endorsement, especially when he then posted a photo of him staring next to an 'exit' sign, along with a message that simply asked his followers 'What would you do?'

There is a perception that LIV has bottomless funds, and it is certainly true that the Saudis have spent mind-boggling amounts of money in numerous sports, including golf, boxing, tennis, football, Formula One, snooker and even darts. With most of these they manage to balance the books but that is not the case with LIV Golf.

Let’s look at a few of the sums, shall we?

Last year it was revealed that LIV's net losses in its international markets outside of the US hit $461.8m in 2024, meaning that it had lost more than $1.1bn since it was established in 2021. PIF's overall investment in LIV is believed to be somewhere in the region of $5 billion. On the debit side, broadcast rights raised less than $3m. 

All this Saudi cash has come from oil but PIF is facing lower oil prices. You have to believe that at some point the money is simply going to run out or that the Saudis will just lose interest.

It hasn’t helped that the PGA Tour signed a private equity deal with a group of high-profile investors that was worth somewhere in the region of $2.3 billion. These are serious players, including Fenway Sports Group, who own Liverpool Football Club. That investment has allowed the PGA Tour to increase prize money, thus making it even more attractive.

Part of this deal sees golfers who remained loyal to the PGA Tour being financially rewarded. In truth, these guys have never had it so good.

New sponsors have been brought on board and it should surprise nobody that these companies want the strongest possible fields at their tournaments and are keen for the split in our sport to come to an end once and for all.