Since then there have been changes to the board, an event in New Orleans has been “postponed” and this week Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau had plenty to say about their respective contracts and future.

But there was a tournament to play and it was Aussie Lucas Herbert who walked away with his first LIV Golf title, which gives him entry into the U.S. Open next month at Shinnecock Hills. He’s now won on the PGA Tour, Asian Tour, European Tour and now LIV Golf. He took home $4 million for his victory from the $30 million purse. Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces won a team playoff over Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs and will split $3 million.

Bryson DeChambeau finished this. Jon Rahm tied for eighth place.

Here’s the prize breakdown in Virginia

INDIVIDUAL

WIN: Lucas Herbert, -24, $4 million

2: Sergio Garcia, -21, $2.25 million

3: Bryson DeChambeau, -19, $1.5 million

4: Dean Burmester, -18, $1 million

5: Josele Ballester, -17, $800,000

T-6: Thomas Detry, -16, $650,000

T-6: Anthony Kim, -16, $650,000

T-8: Scott Vincent, -15, $463,333

T-8: Jon Rahm, -15, $463,333

T-8: Joaquin Niemann, -15, $463,333

11: Victor Perez, -14, $380,000

T-12: Caleb Surratt, -13, $350,000

T-12: David Puig, -13, $350,000

T-14: Charles Howell III, -12, $301,666.67

T-14: Marc Leishman, -12, $301,666.67

T-14: Paul Casey, -12, $301,666.67

17: Tyrrell Hatton, -11, $270,000

T-18: Ian Poulter, -10, $250,000

T-18: Graeme McDowell, -10, $250,000

T-18: Dustin Johnson, -10, $250,000

T-21: Branden Grace, -9, $215,000

T-21: Adrian Meronk, -9, $215,000

T-21: Jeongwoo Ham, -9, $215,000

T-21: Tom McKibbin, -9, $215,000

25: Miguel Tabuena, -8, $195,000

T-26: Thomas Pieters, -7, $182,500

T-26: Cameron Smith, -7, $182,500

T-26: Richard Bland, -7, $182,500

T-26: Charl Schwartzel, -7, $182,500

T-30: Lee Westwood, -6, $160,000

T-30: Carlos Ortiz, -6, $160,000

T-30: Richard T. Lee, -6, $160,000

T-30: Younghan Song, -6, $160,000

T-30: Sebastian Munoz, -6, $160,000

T-35: Ben An, -5, $143,750

T-35: Bjorn Hellgren, -5, $143,740

T-35: Bubba Watson, -5, $143,750

T-35: Yosuke Asaji, -5, $143,750

T-39: Martin Kaymer, -4, $135,000

T-39: Brendan Steele, -4, $135,000

T-39: Taylor Gooch, -4, $135,000

42: Louis Oosthuizen, -3, $130,000

43: Abraham Ancer, -2, $129,000

T-44: Matt Wolff, -1, $127,500

T-44: Anirban Lahiri, -1, $127,500

T-46: Michael La Sasso, E, $65,200

T-46: Cameron Tringale, E, $65,200

T-46: Jason Kokrak, E, $65,200

T-46: Laurie Canter, E, $65,200

T-46: Elvis Smylie, E, $65,200

T-51: Harold Varner III, +1, $50,000

T-51: Luis Masaveu, +1, $50,000

53: Brian Campbell, +4, $50,000

54: Peter Uihlein, +5, $50,000

55: Sam Horsefield, +6, $50,000

56: Minkyu Kim, +10, $50,000

WD: Danny Lee, $43,750

RES: Travis Smyth, $16,250

TEAM

WIN: 4Aces, -49, $3 million

P-2: Fireballs, -49, $1.5 million

3: Legion XIII, -48, $900,000

4: Crushers, -44, $700,000

5: Ripper, -43, $650,000

6: Southern Guards, -37, $600,000

7: Cleeks, -34, $550,000

8: Torque, -29, $500,000

9: HyFlyers, -19, $450,000

10: OKGC, -13, $400,000

11: Majesticks, -10, $300,000

12: RangeGoats, +3, $250,000

13: Korean GC, +6, $200,000

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LIV, which recently had Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund confirm it would not fund the league after 2026, staged its first event in the U.S. for the season at Trump National in Washington, D.C.

Herbert battled the flu all week and did not see the front nine at the golf course before the event started on Thursday. Beware the injured golfer.

Herbert was superb during opening rounds of 64-63 before a 68 on Day 3 and a closing 69 to finish at 24 under, four shots ahead of Sergio Garcia in second. Bryson DeChambeau was third at 19 under.

The 30-year-old Aussie now owns career titles across LIV, the PGA Tour (2021 Bermuda Championship), DP World Tour (2020 Dubai Desert Classic, 2021 Irish Open and 2023 ISPS Handa Championship in Japan) and Asian Tour (2025 International Series Japan).

He joined the league in 2024, and his maiden LIV victory wasn’t without drama.

On Sunday, he was four over on the par 3s including a double bogey that nearly changed everything. Herbert missed the green at the par-3 ninth and his pitch shot rolled back off the green, and he missed the ensuing bogey putt. Playing partner Garcia birdied the hole and within a 10-minute span, Herbert’s five-shot lead had contracted to two. Garcia then birdied the 10th to reduce the deficit to one.

Herbert remained composed and birdied 11 and 12, before two bogeys and two birdies in a four-hole stretch. He even survived a 45-minute weather delay late in the round to ice his dominant win.

“I didn’t doubt myself; I missed a few putts here and there and made it a contest late,” Herbert said. “But after the rain delay, the way I played those eight shots [a birdie at the par-5 17th and par at the par-4 18th], I’m so proud of that. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone tonight.”

: Lucas Herbert's immediate reaction to winning the LIV Golf Virginia title.

FOLTZ: "Quite a popular win there, Lucas Herbert. No practice round, no expectations. What did you learn about yourself and your game this week?"

HERBERT: "Probably that I can perform pretty damn… pic.twitter.com/yZkKFaEFKF

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) May 10, 2026

Asked what he learned about himself, Herbert said after his $4 million individual victory, “Probably that I can perform pretty damn well when things aren’t perfect.

“I was pretty sick all week, and I woke up this morning probably feeling worse than I did the last few days. I had Sergio coming at me for 36 holes really hard, and he pushed me the whole way, made me earn that one.”

With the USGA granting LIV’s top points earner (not already exempt) through Virginia a spot in the U.S. Open field, Herbert punched his ticket to Shinnecock Hills, where he made his major debut in 2018. Herbert, who was T-15 at the 150th British Open at St. Andrews in 2022, has worked overtime for major exemptions lately. He qualified for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush last year and secured a start at this summer’s British Open via the New Zealand Open in March.

“Yeah, there was so many things that came with winning today,” Herbert said. “I just wanted to focus on what I was doing and then spend this moment now figuring out what comes with it.

“That’s a nice added bonus. My first major ever was at Shinnecock. Nice to go back and see what I’ve learned since then. Can’t wait to get there and try to play like I did this week.”

Herbert credited his longtime caddie, popular Englishman Nick Pugh, for guiding him through illness. Ironically, it’s not the first time Herbert has leaned on Pugh when coming in hot to a tournament. When Herbert won a DP World Tour event in Japan in 2023, a travel delay in New York meant Herbert didn’t arrive until late that Wednesday and he didn’t see the course before the first round. Pugh had rigorously mapped the PGM Ishioka Golf Club.

On Sunday in Virginia, Pugh also calmed Herbert after a rattling double bogey at the ninth.

“We just had such a laugh out there,” Herbert said. “We said walking to the first tee, we’re going to have fun regardless. That was the thing, we walked off the back of the ninth green having fun.

“He’s amazing. There’s not a good enough word I can speak about him. He’s been with me so long now, every win but one, every win but two actually. He deserves it as much as I do.”

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In that time, LIV’s scheduled event for Louisiana in June was postponed until the fall. LIV also unveiled a new board led by Gene Davis and Jon Zinman.

Now readying for the sixth event of a turbulent season, O’Neil spoke to the press at Trump National Golf Club in Washington D.C. His session came a day after the league announced it had retained Ducera Partners LLC as its investment banking advisor to find investment partners.

“Was I surprised? I don’t know, it’s hard to even think about that moment,” O’Neil said about when he learned PIF would cease funding after 2026. “So I’d rather not comment on how I actually felt, my emotion. I can tell you that it was very clear 18 months ago that for this to be a growing concern, we were going to have to make significant and substantive changes in terms of the way we do business.

“Guys, remember, when my phone rings, it never is the case that everything is going well. I am not a status quo manager. I never have been. Like this is what I do … so, it would be naive to be surprised, and it would be irresponsible to be thinking anything else other than how far we have to go to make sure that we can continue to grow this game around the world.”

O’Neil was also asked about the possibility of prize purses being significantly reduced from the current offering of $30 million per event—$20 million for the individual tournament purse and $10 million for the team portion.

“I definitely will not be talking through specifics of the plan, but it’s a pretty—it’s a playbook that won’t surprise too many people once you see it,” O’Neil said. “We have a good runway through this season fortunately, and it’s for next year that we’re going to be making some pretty significant, substantive changes. If you can piece together what I’ve said over the last six months, there won’t be too much surprise in terms of what you find.”

Hector Vivas

As LIV restructures, a pertinent question becomes how it can retain its biggest names if the prize purses were reduced; LIV counts Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith among its group.

“Our view of what got the players here—I wasn’t here when most of the players came in—I have been here when players have come in, and they’re coming for very different reasons,” O’Neil said. “I’d encourage [you to] ask them why they’re here. Some of them, sure, came for money. Others are here for very different reasons, and I appreciate that.

“You’ve got 57 players from 21 different countries all looking for something in their lives … others are chasing fame, others are chasing legacy and career, others are looking for more predictability and a schedule. There are a whole host of others that want to travel the world. So, I definitely don’t want to take 57 guys and pigeonhole them into what they care about. I think that would be irresponsible.”

If LIV golfers were to supplement their schedules with other tours, O’Neil said he would not stand in their way. On Tuesday, Rahm announced he and the DP World Tour had come to an agreement for the Spaniard to continue playing on the European circuit after settling his fines for playing in conflicting events.

“We have never, since our inception, ever restricted our players,” O’Neil said. “That’s from bans, from fines, not us. Nope, go play where you want to play. We believe in free golf, free agency of golf.

“We believe that players should play when they want and where they want so long as they sign up for these 14, and we’ll be sticking to that.”

One topic O’Neil was somewhat clearer on was whether there will be competitive changes to the league in 2027.

“We’ve changed pretty dramatically in my two seasons here, and I’ve been on the record saying the format changes won’t stop, and we’ll continue to evolve to optimise the business,” O’Neil said. “So I would not be surprised to see a continued evolution in our format.”

Finally, O’Neil was queried about LIV’s biggest drawcard, two-time U.S. Open champion DeChambeau.

“You want to talk about a business partner, we’re literally talking about the future of LIV Golf, I’m talking with him about how does he see, not just the golf, but the business,” O’Neil said. “He’s smart, he’s driven, he’s committed, and he’s a heck of a partner.”

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VINTAGE @philmickelson #LIVGolfVirginia @hyflyers_gc pic.twitter.com/xFuXIVLzz7

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) June 8, 2025

This angle of the @PhilMickelson hole out today is even more insane

“So that was one of my better ones… I don't know what to say because I have to aim so far left because I'm hooking it over my shoulder and trying to guess how much it's going to hook is the challenge….… pic.twitter.com/5sfjfUN3KR

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 9, 2025

Social media was quick to dub Mickelson’s ingenious flop shot “vintage,” “genius” and a host of other superlatives, but did what his fellow pros think of it? Bryson DeChambeau, playing in the same group as Mickelson at the time of the chip-in, offered his thoughts following the round. In typical Bryson fashion, he didn’t hold back, calling it “one of the greatest shots he’s ever seen.” That’s a bold claim, but hear him out …

Phil's shot from Bryson's perspective pic.twitter.com/GRJ0aHQe49

— LIV'r & Onions! (@LIVRandONIONS) June 8, 2025

Even @brysondech was stunnned by @philmickelson’s unbelievable flop shot on 17 #LIVGolfVirginia @crushers_gc pic.twitter.com/vCDl6fJQ11

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) June 8, 2025

Pretty high praise from a guy who’s hit a few GOATed shots of his own over the years (his sand save on the 72nd hole of last year’s U.S. Open comes to mind). But coming from a guy who regularly makes holes-in-one over his house and has been at this pro golf thing for nearly a decade, well, it’s tough to dispute. First of all, it’s an expert opinion—DeChambeau saw the lie and stance with his own two eyes and knew first-hand what Phil was up against. Second of all, well, just watch it again. The stakes leave a lot to be desired, but in terms of pure creativity, commitment and execution, it’s up there with the best short game wizardry we’ve ever seen.

In other words, it’s just Phil being Phil. We’re not sure how much longer we’ll get to enjoy shots like these from Lefty, so our advice is to savour them while you can.

MORE: Phil Mickelson says there’s a ‘high likelihood’ Oakmont could be his last U.S. Open

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The usual LIV roster was at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, the same place that hosted the Solheim Cup last fall and previously hosted four Presidents Cup competitons. It was Joaquin Niemann who won to walk away with the $4 million first-place prize from the overall $20 million purse. He shot a final-round 63 to top Graeme McDowell and Anirban Lahiri by a shot. Thomas Pieters, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson all tied for fourth place another shot behind.

Niemann already was the leader of LIV Golf’s individual standings after winning three previous times before this week, so his fourth victory has simply only extended his lead over Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. DeChambeau’s Crushers team—with Paul Casey, Charloes Howell III and Lahiri—won the team title and will split another $3 million.

The league is off next week for the U.S. Open at Oakmont, where DeChambeau defends his title from last year at Pinehurst. The next event is in Dallas June 27-29 before they head to Europe for July.

Here’s the rundown of what each player made this week.

INDIVIDUAL

WIN: Joaquin Niemann, -15/198, $4 million

T-2: Graeme McDowell, -14/199, $1.875 million

T-2: Anirban Lahiri, -14/199, $1.875 million

T-4: Thomas Pieters, -13/200, $775,000

T-4: Bryson DeChambeau, -13/200, $775,000

T-4: Phil Mickelson, -13/200, $775,000

T-4: Bubba Watson, -13/200, $775,000

T-8: Jon Rahm, -10/203, $483,750

T-8: Martin Kaymer, -10/203, $483,750

T-10: Lee Westwood, -9/204, $361,000

T-10: Marc Leishman, -9/204, $361,000

T-10: Dustin Johnson, -9/204, $361,000

T-10: Talor Gooch, -9/204, $361,000

T-10: Carlos Ortiz, -9/204, $361,000

T-15: Brendan Steele, -8/205, $285,000

T-15: Tyrrell Hatton, -8/205, $285,000

T-15: Sebastian Munoz, -8/205, $285,000

18: Harold Varner III, -7/206, $260,000

T-19: Ben Campbell, -6/207, $235,000

T-19: Branden Grace, -6/207, $235,000

T-19: Paul Casey, -6/207, $235,000

T-19: Abraham Ancer, -6/207, $235,000

T-23: Jinichiro Kozuma, -5/208, $193,333

T-23: Patrick Reed, -5/208, $193,333

T-23: Dean Burmester, -5/208, $193,333

T-23: Cameron Smith, -5/208, $193,333

T-23: Louis Oosthuizen, -5/208, $193,333

T-23: Jason Kokrak, -5/208, $193,333

T-29: Richard Bland, -4/209, $167,500

T-29: Cameron Tringale, -4/209, $167,500

T-29: Adrian Meronk, -4/209, $167,500

T-29: Charl Schwartzel, -4/209, $167,500

T-33: Peter Uihlein, -3/210, $148,000

T-33: Charles Howell III, -3/210, $148,000

T-33: Brooks Koepka, -3/210, $148,000

T-33: Sam Horsfield, -3/210, $148,000

T-33: Luis Masaveu, -3/210, $148,000

T-38: Sergio Garcia, -2/211, $136,250

T-38: Kevin Na, -2/211, $136,250

T-38: Tom McKibbin, -2/211, $136,250

T-38: Yubin Jang, -2/211, $136,250

42: Caleb Surratt, -1/212, $130,000

43: Danny Lee, +1/214, $127,500

T-44: Henrik Stenson, +2/215, $126,250

T-44: Anthony Kim, +2/215, $126,250

46: Lucas Herbert, +3/216, $125,000

T-47: Ian Poulter, +4/217, $121,250

T-47: Frederik Kjettrup, +4/217, $121,250

49: Andy Ogletree, +6/219, $60,000

T-50: Matt Jones, +7/220, $56,667

T-50: Josele Ballester, +7/220, $56,667

T-50: Mito Periera, +7/220, $56,667

53: Chieh-Po Lee, +11/224, $50,000

ALT: Ollie Schneiderjans, $40,000

WD: Matthew Wolff, $10,000

TEAM

WIN: Crushers (DeChambeau, Casey, Howell III, Lahiri), -36, $3 million

2: 4Aces (Johnson, Pieters, Reed, Varner III), -34, $1.5 million

3: Smash (Koepka, Gooch, Kokrak, McDowell), -31, $500,000

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