Bryson DeChambeau is committed to LIV Golf and aims to help it survive beyond the current season, despite rumors of its potential demise. He downplayed speculation about leaving for the PGA Tour and is negotiating a new contract.
Key points
Bryson DeChambeau is committed to LIV Golf.
He downplayed rumors of leaving for the PGA Tour.
Concerns exist about LIV Golf's funding after 2026.
DeChambeau is negotiating a new contract.
He aims to help ensure LIV Golf's success.
Mentioned in this story
LIV GolfSaudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau not ready to leave LIV Golf despite rumors of demise
Bryson DeChambeau wants LIV Golf to live on beyond this season and he's trying to help the cause by pushing back against speculation he's looking to leave when his contract up after 2026.
"We're still working on a potential contract. I haven't given up on that and I think there will be a solution," DeChambeau said. "But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I've put a lot of effort into it. So that's what I'm going to do. We're going to make this work."
LIV Golf remains in the headlines as executives meet amid ongoing conversations about the future of the sport.
See the LIV golfers who continue to draw attention through both current competition and their place in the broader discussion.
Above, Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
Q&A
Is Bryson DeChambeau leaving LIV Golf for the PGA Tour?
No, Bryson DeChambeau has stated he is not ready to leave LIV Golf and is committed to its future.
What are the rumors surrounding LIV Golf's funding?
Rumors suggest that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may stop funding LIV Golf, raising concerns about its viability after 2026.
What is Bryson DeChambeau's current contract situation with LIV Golf?
Bryson DeChambeau is negotiating a potential contract to remain with LIV Golf beyond this year.
What is Bryson DeChambeau doing to support LIV Golf?
He is actively working to help the league succeed and believes there will be a solution to its challenges.
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Paul Casey of Crushers GC chips onto the first green during the finals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John's Resort.
Bryson DeChambeau celebrates after winning in a playoff against Byeong-Hun An of South Korea during the final round of The Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 3, 2018, in Dublin, Ohio.
Sergio Garcia plays his shot on the seventeenth hole from the eighth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Tyrrell Hatton tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Charles Howell III, Bryson DeChambeau and Paul Casey of the Crushers GC celebrate the Dallas LIV team championship during the final round of the LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament at Maridoe Golf Club.
Dustin Johnson lines up a putt on the 17th green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Martin Kaymer of team Cleeks Golf Club hits a tee shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
Anthony Kim hits from the second tee during the final round of the LIV Golf Black Diamond Ranch golf tournament at Black Diamond Ranch.
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC reacts to a putt at the 12th green on day one of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on June 06, 2025, in Gainesville, Virginia.
Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC celebrates after winning day three of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on June 08, 2025, in Gainesville, Virginia.
Louis Oosthuizen of Stinger GC tees off at the ninth hole on day two of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on June 07, 2025, in Gainesville, Virginia.
British golfer Ian Poulter of Majesticks GC plays his shot from the second tee during the quarterfinals of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Miami at Trump National Doral Miami golf club in Miami, Florida, on October 28, 2022.
Jon Rahm of Legion XIII poses with the LIV golf season individual trophy on day three of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills on August 17, 2025, in Westfield, Indiana.
South African golfer Charl Schwartzel celebrates with the trophy after winning the LIV Golf Invitational London at The Centurion Club on June 11, 2022. The $25 million event marked the launch of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, the richest tournament purse in golf history at the time.
Australia's Cameron Smith of Ripper GC plays a shot at the 5th tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Korea at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon on May 2, 2025.
USA's Bubba Watson watches his shot during the second day of the LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide on February 15, 2025.
Lee Westwood of Majesticks GC reacts to a putt on the 18th hole during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Orlando at The Orange County National on April 02, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.
1 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
LIV Golf remains in the headlines as executives meet amid ongoing conversations about the future of the sport.
See the LIV golfers who continue to draw attention through both current competition and their place in the broader discussion.
Above, Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
1 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
LIV Golf remains in the headlines as executives meet amid ongoing conversations about the future of the sport.
See the LIV golfers who continue to draw attention through both current competition and their place in the broader discussion.
Above, Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
2 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Paul Casey of Crushers GC chips onto the first green during the finals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John's Resort.
3 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Bryson DeChambeau celebrates after winning in a playoff against Byeong-Hun An of South Korea during the final round of The Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 3, 2018, in Dublin, Ohio.
4 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Sergio Garcia plays his shot on the seventeenth hole from the eighth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
5 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Tyrrell Hatton tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
6 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Charles Howell III, Bryson DeChambeau and Paul Casey of the Crushers GC celebrate the Dallas LIV team championship during the final round of the LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament at Maridoe Golf Club.
7 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Dustin Johnson lines up a putt on the 17th green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
8 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Martin Kaymer of team Cleeks Golf Club hits a tee shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
9 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Anthony Kim hits from the second tee during the final round of the LIV Golf Black Diamond Ranch golf tournament at Black Diamond Ranch.
10 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC reacts to a putt at the 12th green on day one of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on June 06, 2025, in Gainesville, Virginia.
11 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC celebrates after winning day three of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on June 08, 2025, in Gainesville, Virginia.
12 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Louis Oosthuizen of Stinger GC tees off at the ninth hole on day two of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on June 07, 2025, in Gainesville, Virginia.
13 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
British golfer Ian Poulter of Majesticks GC plays his shot from the second tee during the quarterfinals of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Miami at Trump National Doral Miami golf club in Miami, Florida, on October 28, 2022.
14 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Jon Rahm of Legion XIII poses with the LIV golf season individual trophy on day three of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills on August 17, 2025, in Westfield, Indiana.
15 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
South African golfer Charl Schwartzel celebrates with the trophy after winning the LIV Golf Invitational London at The Centurion Club on June 11, 2022. The $25 million event marked the launch of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, the richest tournament purse in golf history at the time.
16 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Australia's Cameron Smith of Ripper GC plays a shot at the 5th tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Korea at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon on May 2, 2025.
17 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
USA's Bubba Watson watches his shot during the second day of the LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide on February 15, 2025.
18 / 18
LIV Golf running out of time? Meet the players who define the league
Lee Westwood of Majesticks GC reacts to a putt on the 18th hole during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Orlando at The Orange County National on April 02, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.
When asked what happens if he and LIV Golf can't come to terms on a new contract, DeChambeau insisted, "as long as LIV is here, I would figure out a way for it to make sense."
That vote of confidence from DeChambeau comes with LIV Golf in a precarious position in the middle of its 2026 season. Rumors surfaced ahead of last week's Mexico City event suggesting LIV Golf could shut down imminently with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund expected to pull its funding. But LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil later wrote in an email to employees that the 2026 season would go on "as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle."
The Athletic previously reported DeChambeau and his advisors spent time during Masters week meeting with organizations that could be options for him should he choose to leave LIV Golf.
DeChambeau could have returned to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the same Returning Member Program being used by Brooks Koepka this season. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has indicated the program would be a one-time opportunity and its deadline passed in February.
If DeChambeau were to try to come back to the PGA Tour based on the current rules and regulations, he would be eligible for reinstatement under its past champion category. That's the pathway currently being utilized by Patrick Reed, who isn't eligible to compete as a PGA Tour non-member until August due to his participation with LIV Golf.
DeChambeau, however, emphasized he feels an obligation to do everything he can to make sure LIV Golf endures beyond 2026. He cited the tour's younger players, like recent NCAA champions Michael La Sasso and Josele Ballester, as well as its team concept, for his belief. LIV Golf competitors Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were among those to send out messages in support of DeChambeau's vote of confidence.
"There's a lot of moving parts like in any business. It's a start up, right?" DeChambeau said. "And so there's going to times where we're squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I'm going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.
"Jon (Rahm), Phil (Mickelson), DJ (Dustin Johnson), myself and the guys that have been here from the start, we're OK," DeChambeau added. "It's now our responsibility to take care of these kids that believe in us. That's why I'm really doing it. There's so much value to squeeze out of this whole thing for golf in general."
