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It wasn’t long ago that Bryson DeChambeau was coming off a summer from hell, his feud with Brooks Koepka gone wrong that made him the target of jeers and ridicule. Coupled with injuries and poor play, DeChambeau was something of a distressed asset when he defected to the LIV Golf League in the summer of 2022. Yet, as it was underlined at Pinehurst last summer when he captured his second career U.S. Open title, DeChambeau has remade himself into one of the sport’s most popular figures. Which makes the question of where, precisely, DeChambeau will be playing his golf in the near future a point of interest.
Though contracts for those who signed with LIV have not been made publicly available, it has been largely understood in the golf industry that DeChambeau signed for north of $100 million on a deal that ended in 2026. There have also been rumours that those around DeChambeau have been wanting a new deal or extension on his contract. On Tuesday at Oakmont, DeChambeau remarked that his deal does in fact end at the year of next year, and hopes to stay with the Saudi circuit.
“How do I phrase this? Yeah, next year is when it ends. We’re looking to negotiate end of this year, and I’m very excited,” DeChambeau said. “They see the value in me. I see the value in what they can provide, and I believe we’ll come to some sort of resolution on that.”
In one sense it’s understandable that a new deal has not come to fruition, as LIV Golf’s financial backer, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has attempted to come to an agreement with the PGA Tour, and a pact between those two entities could theoretically mean the end of LIV Golf in its current state. However, talks between the tour and PIF have hit a snag after a meeting at the White House between tour commissioner Jay Monahan, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and President Donald Trump did not end in a deal, with sources telling Golf Digest that Al-Rumayyan was unhappy with the terms the tour presented. Though last week marked the two-year anniversary of the surprise framework agreement, professional golf’s cold war continues to have no end in sight.
Over the past 16 months, DeChambeau has become one of the best players in golf. Aside from winning the 2024 U.S. Open, DeChambeau posted runner-up finishes at the 2024 and 2025 PGA, finished T-6 at the 2024 Masters and played out of the final group of this year’s Masters. He’s also built his social media brand over the past few years, using YouTube to elevate his perception among fans under 40. While his ties to LIV and Saudi Arabia can still be viewed as problematic to some golf fans, his reach among the game’s populace is undeniable.
Conversely, LIV Golf—now in its fourth year of existence—has struggled to gain traction with fans, particularly in the United States. As PIF is under mandates to curtail spending, there has been a question, especially among tour officials, if PIF will continue hemorrhaging capital on an entertainment venture that’s failing by most conventional metrics. Even if LIV continues in the future, there’s a chance DeChambeau does not receive the contract he believes he deserves as the face of the league. But, sources tell Golf Digest, hard feelings remain between DeChambeau and the tour. For one, DeChambeau remains a true believer in LIV Golf’s potential. He was also one of the 11 players who sued the tour for antitrust claims, and prior to his departure DeChambeau and tour officials had often clashed behind the scenes. Additionally, there could be a potential suspension for DeChambeau, as those who have jumped to LIV are facing suspensions for their participation, sources have told Golf Digest.
For his part, DeChambeau stated his backing for LIV, and asserted he doesn’t see himself changing tours anytime soon. “I think that LIV is not going anywhere,” DeChambeau said. “[Yasir] has been steadfast in his belief on team golf, and whether everybody believes in it or not, I think it’s a viable option. I think it’s a viable commercial option. Our team has been EBIDTA positive for the past two years, so we’re starting to grow and move in the right direction, just like TGL.
“TGL has done a great job. They’ve got some teams that are making some money, and I believe there is a sustainable model out there. How it all works with the game of golf, who knows, but I know my worth. I know what LIV brings to the table. And I’m excited for the future of what golf is going to be.”
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Main Image: Sean M. Haffey
