Winning majors can give Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau much-needed leverage amid LIV Golf's uncertain future

"So when it comes to compartmentalizing, when you see it from that point of view, there's really not much to it," Rahm added. "I have faith in the work that they're doing. I have faith that they're going to come up with a good plan. Until that plan is explained to us, it's essentially -- not that there isn't anything to worry about, but I don't think I need to add any attention to it."

That seems to run in stark contrast to DeChambeau, whom LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil called "a business partner" and noted they've discussed together what future iterations of LIV Golf could look like. However, as different as LIV's top stars are in approaching its shaky financial future, they both have to be keenly aware of the importance of this particular tournament -- as well as the upcoming U.S. Open and Open Championship -- to affirming their positions as top players in the game.

At this point, neither player has much leverage to make any demands on the PGA Tour to offer them a generous agreement for their potential return. Not only is it highly unlikely there are nine-figure deals available to them beyond their current LIV Golf deals, but the PGA Tour has also succeeded despite their absence and is home to the last six major winners.

The best way for Rahm and/or DeChambeau to put themselves in a position to make some form of demands of the PGA Tour that have teeth -- or to entice potential LIV Golf investors -- is to make it clear that the PGA Tour isn't the best possible product without them.

That's the most important thing to Rolapp, and while he certainly understands that Rahm and DeChambeau are great players, if they're holding active major titles and beating the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler in the process, it undoubtedly shifts the possible negotiations.

Rolapp genuinely seems to care about what fans want and then tries to balance that alongside what the PGA Tour membership views as important. If Rahm and DeChambeau aren't winning majors, there's less urgency to bring them back in the fold, but the moment they're hoisting major trophies again, the chatter builds and pressure shifts back to the PGA Tour to figure out how to get them back in the fold.

As much as they diverge when it comes to the business side -- Rahm avoiding it at all costs, while DeChambeau wants to be hands-on -- their futures are going to be determined by what they do on the golf course, and specifically in major championships. After a no-show at the Masters, the pressure ramps up at Aronimink Golf Club to reclaim their positions at the top of the golf world and remind everyone that professional golf isn't complete without their presence.