Bryson DeChambeau has been the subject of rumor-mongering, shared on some social channels, about his future with LIV Golf. The rumors suggest DeChambeaus is refusing to re-sign with the Saudi-owned league, and he would instead seek a return to the PGA Tour.
DeChambeau responded to questions about those rumors on Wednesday ahead of LIV Golf Hong Kong, the third of 14 tournaments this season: Did he turn down a LIV Golf contract extension?
“No, I'm very excited about the future of LIV Golf,” DeChambeau said. “I'm very excited to be the captain of the Crushers and continue our legacy that we're starting to create. That's my goal, to create this lasting legacy where we impact millions and millions of golfers' lives around the world. That should tell you everything you should know.”
DeChambeau signed with LIV Golf in 2022, and, since then, he's utilized the league to cultivate a fan-friendly image that has won over scores of golf viewers. When he won his second US Open title last June at Pinehurst No. 2, he was cheered by the crowds as somewhat of a beloved player. His YouTube presence and social media channels have become tremendously popular in golf circles, and it's certainly expanded his reach into the broader sports world.
“I continue to see LIV Golf growing,” DeChmambeau said. “It's going to grow at an exponentiating pace for years to come, and we aren't going anywhere.”
Take those comments with the caveat that LIV Golf players are contractually limited in what they can say publicly about the league and their position in it.
While LIV Golf contracts aren't made public, some were made partially available in an initial player-driven lawsuit against the PGA Tour, seeking an injunction for three players to compete in the FedEx Cup playoffs that first LIV Golf year. One contract in question was three years in length, and reporting has suggested most contracts are in the range of 3 to 5 years. Reporting has also suggested outsized signing bonuses for players who joined LIV Golf at the earliest stages, including DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, who both have won majors while competing on LIV Golf. After LIV Golf has spent billions to date on acquiring players and running tournaments, it's unclear how much more money the Saudi Public Investment Fund is willing to invest in their foundational players for a second contract.
Fred Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, said publicly recently that Koepka is keen to return to the PGA Tour after proving LIV Golf's most prolific champion to date.
For his part, DeChambeau is hoping to win a green jacket of his own after finishing a career-best T-6 last year at Augusta National.
