Bryson DeChambeau Seeks a New Deal with LIV Golf
The current US Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau, has expressed his desire to reach a new agreement with the LIV Golf League before the end of the year. DeChambeau, one of the most prominent figures on the circuit, whose current contract with LIV Golf expires after the 2026 season, seeks to secure his future in the world of golf.DeChambeau also expressed his interest in being part of the conversations to unite LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. He believes he could contribute valuable ideas and advocates for collaboration between players from both circuits to define the future of professional golf.“We are looking to negotiate at the end of this year, and I am very excited. They see the value in me. I see the value in what they can provide, and I think we will reach some kind of resolution on that. Very excited about the future,” DeChambeau stated.
Bryson DeChambeau
The framework agreement reached on June 6, 2023, between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV Golf, has yet to materialize into a definitive agreement. Sources indicate that there have been no significant conversations since the meeting between Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF, and the PGA Tour executives. DeChambeau, who visited former President Donald Trump at the White House on June 2, acknowledges that the situation is constantly changing and that the PIF is seeking a business plan with a good return on investment. Despite LIV Golf having well-received tournaments in Australia, Korea, and Spain, it has struggled to attract television viewership and has experienced moderate interest in the United States. DeChambeau believes in the viability of LIV Golf and its team model, highlighting the value it brings to golf. The golfer is one of the LIV Golf players with initial contracts expiring in the next 18 months. LIV Golf attracted other major champions like Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Jon Rahm, with contracts that included guaranteed signing bonuses and $25 million prize pools. DeChambeau’s value has increased since he joined LIV Golf in June 2022, including his second US Open title and more than 2 million followers on his YouTube channel. DeChambeau was one of 11 LIV Golf players who sued the PGA Tour in August 2022, accusing the tour of using its monopoly power to suppress competition. The lawsuits were dropped following the framework agreement. It is not yet clear whether DeChambeau and other LIV Golf players would face a suspension before being reinstated to the PGA Tour if an agreement were reached. DeChambeau concluded that history is created wherever one makes it, recognizing the value of both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.“I would love to help. I think I have some good ideas. I would love the collaboration of both sides, from the players’ side, not just at the level of senior management. But I would love for the tour players and LIV players to come together and say: ‘Hey, what do we want to do? What are we trying to achieve here?'”, he added.
Bryson DeChambeau
