If LIV Golf ceases operations, what fate awaits Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau?
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Our writers and editors share unfiltered insights on the hottest topics in golf each week. Join the conversation on Twitter at @golf_com. This edition focuses on the future of LIV Golf’s star players and the upcoming PGA Championship at Aronimink.
For the first time since news broke that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will not support LIV Golf beyond this season, league CEO Scott O’Neil and players addressed the media at this week’s tournament in Washington, D.C. What stood out most from their comments at Trump National?
As uncertainty looms, LIV Golf’s CEO offers clues about the league’s next steps.
By: Dylan Dethier
Jack Hirsh, Associate Equipment Editor: The message was clear: LIV is on shaky ground. While we already suspected as much, nothing O’Neil said convinced me otherwise. He appeared reactive rather than proactive, suggesting the PIF’s withdrawal caught him off guard. That doesn’t spell immediate doom, but when the media next hears from him, a concrete survival plan will be essential. Right now, it doesn’t sound like he knows how that will unfold.
Josh Schrock, Associate News Editor: As expected, everyone is scrambling to figure out if there’s a future for LIV Golf. O’Neil provided few specifics about potential funding or what a 2027 season might look like. Jon Rahm’s remark that players would need to make “concessions” to keep the business alive was revealing. What would those concessions entail? Who would be willing to accept them? Too many unanswered questions remain.
Dylan Dethier, Senior Writer: The LIV we knew is finished. That reality has been setting in—the original vision paired Greg Norman with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, backed by virtually unlimited Saudi funds. But this week made it even clearer, as O’Neil talked about needing a new plan and players spoke of concessions and uncertainties.
One pressing question involves Bryson DeChambeau, whose contract ends this year. He mentioned last week that he might focus on growing his YouTube channel and playing “tournaments that want me” if a return to LIV or the PGA Tour doesn’t work out. How valuable is Bryson to the PGA Tour’s future? And who holds the leverage in determining his next move?
Bryson DeChambeau is weighing a unique backup plan in case LIV Golf folds.
By: Josh Berhow
Hirsh: Bryson undeniably holds significant value for the PGA Tour in terms of drawing viewers who might otherwise tune out. That said, his bluff is transparent. He’s entertaining, no doubt, but without competitive golf, that appeal diminishes. What sets him apart from any other YouTuber? I believe his audience holds the most leverage. If he stops playing competitive golf once his exemptions run out, fans might lose interest. If I’m right, he’ll eventually return to the PGA Tour with his tail between his legs.
Schrock: Bryson brings value to the PGA Tour. From a pure business perspective, his presence generates eyeballs and revenue. But the tour is thriving without him, and he’s not doing himself favors by criticizing the tour’s struggles or complaining about policies restricting social media content at events. It will be fascinating to see what a return looks like for Bryson if he decides to come back. He was t
