Lee Westwood's criticism of Bryson DeChambeau raises concerns for LIV Golf's future. Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw support after the 2026 season.
Key points
Lee Westwood criticized Bryson DeChambeau.
Concerns about LIV Golf's future persist.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw support.
Support is expected to end after the 2026 season.
Debate continues over the futures of top players.
Mentioned in this story
Lee WestwoodBryson DeChambeauJon RahmLIV GolfPublic Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia
Photo by Jason Butler/Getty Images
Photo by Jason Butler/Getty Images
The dust may be settling on what was an incredibly dramatic week for LIV Golf, but questions over the leagueâs future continue to be asked.
While LIV attempted to carry on as normal at their latest event in Mexico City, there was the largest of elephants in the room amid reports that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia will stop supporting the league from the end of the 2026 season.
There has since been plenty of debate over what the future holds for the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, the leagueâs biggest two names.
It seems that Bryson DeChambeau is already considering his next move.
Bryson DeChambeau seems to be keeping his options open amid doubts over LIV Golfâs future
The problem is that neither response does LIV Golf any favours whatsoever.
Q&A
What did Lee Westwood say about Bryson DeChambeau?
Lee Westwood criticized Bryson DeChambeau, which has sparked discussions about LIV Golf's stability.
How will Saudi Arabia's funding impact LIV Golf?
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is rumored to stop supporting LIV Golf after the 2026 season, raising questions about the league's future.
What are the implications for Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm in LIV Golf?
With uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf's financial backing, the futures of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are now in question.
What is the current status of LIV Golf events?
LIV Golf is continuing its events, including one in Mexico City, despite ongoing concerns about its future.
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Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Ever since LIV started up, there has been a bizarre dynamic among the players when it comes to how they have handled the media.
Questions that paint LIV in a positive light were embraced, and subsequently held up as a strange example of the league being vindicated. Difficult questions have largely been dismissed, regardless of how justified they are.
Few on the outside, however, seem to have ever bought into the idea that LIV is some sort of underdog trying to change the game.
Instead, it is a league that has seen its progress stagnate and appears to now be in real danger of disappearing altogether in the coming years.
With that, DeChambeau would be completely foolish not to look at all of his options.
LIV Golf really does not benefit from Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter dismissing what would be a smart move from DeChambeauâs camp
The Telegraph reported earlier this year that the two-time US Open champion is holding out for $500 million before signing a new contract with the league.
If the PIF withdraw their support, it is hard to imagine that there is any way that DeChambeau will get the terms he is looking for by staying with LIV.
Brian Rolapp insisted that there were no guarantees that those who did not take up the offer to follow Brooks Koepka earlier this year would have another opportunity.
So it would be ridiculous if DeChambeau did not try and establish what returning to the PGA Tour would look like.
Westwood and Poulter must know that.
As reported by Golf Monthly in 2022, Westwood said players would be âdaftâ not to listen to those starting up what would become LIV Golf.
Surely, DeChambeau is in a similar boat this time around. There are serious doubts over LIVâs future. And if his contract expires this year, he would be naive to just sign an extension without exploring his options.
That would be the case even if he was simply planning to use the PGA Tour as a bargaining tool in talks with LIV.
So it does appear to be a further example of certain LIV players refusing to see anything negative about the league emerge into the public domain.
It surely does not help LIV among the vast majority of golf fans to have players as experienced as Westwood and Poulter try and hit out at claims over what would be a really sensible decision from DeChambeau.
