The future of LIV Golf has been thrust into the headlines as talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continue.
Renewed optimism emerged after Donald Trump met with Jay Monahan and Adam Scott at the White House last month. However, Rory McIlroy’s recent comments on the negotiations painted a much bleaker picture.
“I don’t think it’s ever felt that close,” McIlroy said during his press conference at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “But it doesn’t feel like it’s any closer.
“Look, I think it takes two to tango. So if one party is willing and ready and the other isn’t, it sort of makes it tough.”
In addition to the recent merger rumours, some of LIV’s biggest stars have been linked with the exit door. Online speculation claimed Bryson DeChambeau had failed to agree a new contract, and Fred Couples claimed Brooks Koepka was eager to return to the PGA Tour. Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson was critical of Couples’ comments.
Ryan Lavner discusses Bryson DeChambeau LIV Golf exit talk
In the latest edition of the Golf Channel podcast, journalist Ryan Lavner discussed the possibility of DeChambeau returning to the PGA Tour one day.
“Bryson DeChambeau spoke Wednesday about his future, and there were some social media rumblings about whether his contract is up or not,” Lavner said.
“Did the PIF reject his number? We are not going to get into all of that but he was asked do you want to set the record straight and Bryson said on the record that he was excited about his future with LIV and that it was going to grow at an exponential rate.
“Look, Bryson DeChambeau is an employee of LIV. I didn’t think he was going to sit up there and say that he was exploring his options right now like a disgruntled wide receiver might in a press conference. But he and Bryson DeChambeau’s reps must know that he has a lot of leverage right now.”
Lavner then claimed DeChambeau leaving LIV would be a fatal blow to the 54-hole league.
“Where he is maybe the most popular player in the world of golf. He is the reigning US Open champion. He is the player, along with Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka, who the PGA Tour really wants to reintegrate back,” he added.
“Bryson being the clear number one in that respect. If he defectes back to the PGA Tour and is unable to come to some sort of terms with LIV on his next contract, it is hard to imagine LIV surviving his defection. So Bryson, Brooks, and Rahm are under contract for longer, but those guys have a lot of sway and are very influential in what the future of this deal could look like.”
DeChambeau issued a strong statement on his commitment to LIV during his press conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
LIV Golf: Bryson DeChambeau exit would be huge blow
Losing DeChambeau, arguably the world’s most popular golfer, would be a considerable blow to LIV and stunt the growth of the PIF-backed venture. The two-time US Open champ is the face of the league and has fully embraced what the product is trying to do.
Despite the American reaffirming his commitment to LIV, DeChambeau didn’t completely shut down speculation surrounding his contract, nor did he confirm he would be resigning for the league when his current deal expires. Clearly, there’s more to the saga than meets the eye.
With LIV Golf’s TV ratings dwindling and interest low, Koepka, DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Jon Rahm may have decisions to make once their current agreements end.
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