Bryson DeChambeau, the two-time US Open champion, has strongly denied recent reports suggesting that he is seeking a way out of the beleaguered LIV Golf series. The rebel tour's future appears uncertain after its Saudi Arabian backers indicated they would withdraw their multibillion-dollar sponsorship at the end of the 2026 season. DeChambeau, 32, called the claims “completely untrue” during an interview with Flushing It Golf, emphasizing his dedication to making team golf succeed.
Commitment to Team Golf
“I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible,” DeChambeau stated. “I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission and it’s never been more true than now.” His comments come amid reports that LIV Golf is seeking fresh backers after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) decided to scrap its $5 billion investment in golf, part of a broader retreat from sports sponsorship. The 2026 season is widely expected to be LIV’s last unless new funding is secured.
Junior Golf Initiative
DeChambeau revealed that LIV is working on a junior golf initiative to bolster the sport’s future. “We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each [LIV] team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he explained. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.” This effort aims to grow the game globally despite the league’s financial challenges.
Contract and Future
DeChambeau joined LIV in June 2022 on a reported $125 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a $500 million deal to remain with the league before its funding problems were revealed. “We’re still working on a potential contract,” he said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. 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.”
Despite reports that LIV has increased revenue streams over its five years of operation, it remains unlikely to generate enough income to sustain the league as it had in its early years. “There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau noted after withdrawing from last month’s event in Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be 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.”
